Almost at Ink`s to get the second half of today`s pay.

　　"Those things were crazy," said Magpie. "You and Kate have it easy, flinging shit from a distance. Kate, by the way, that spell is awesome."

　　"Yeah, that thing`s brutal." Wolfe giving us a small smirk. "But yeah, they`re not all that mobile but you`re next to them you got the arms coming out of the one on the leg, and then you got the one that is the arm swiping down, with more arms coming out of it. My knife was not cutting it against them at all."

　　"That could definitely be the issue," said Magpie, hefting her own.

　　"Do you still have that sword we found? Maybe you should change it up."

　　"If we`re going to be doing stuff like that," she said, considering, "yeah I guess I have to. I`ll shuffle some stuff around, should all be switched over by next cycle."

　　"Thank you, very much appreciated. I`ve been meaning to get an axe and today`s pay should do it. Oh, Kate, totally forgot to ask since I`ve been back, but how you sleeping?"

　　"Actually, much better," she said. "Both in here and out there."

　　"Out there? Oh, you`ve got three off in a row. Evie is there anything you can do about that?"

　　"Well, I mean, sure, I guess. I could submit a form if you want. Probably take a few cycles."

　　"No, that`s fine" said Wolfe, "I kind of like having a night out of here."

　　"Really? I can`t stand sleeping out there."

　　"I don`t have a problem with that, plenty tired after a long day," said Wolfe, "But, I dunno, it sort of helps keep everything separate in my head."

　　"I just like having three days off in a row," said Magpie.

　　"That`s why I like it," said Riley.

　　The three looking at each other in agreement and then turning their attention to me.

　　"Well, you want to know what I think?"

　　"We know what you think," said Magpie.

　　"I think you`re all totally nuts."

　　Riley snorting, Wolfe trying to hold back, putting a hand over her mouth, but Magpie with no such qualms. Riley and Wolfe joining in as a result.

　　"Lucy," said Wolfe, after they had mostly recovered, "for the record I am sleeping better. And I`m glad your schedule helps you sleep in here."

　　Getting to Ink`s and putting my hand on the doorknob. The usual smell normally contained within significantly more pungent. Coming through the door. Turning the knob.

　　A young woman sitting the counter this time. Looks like they`ve done some interior decorating. Knocked out a wall.

　　"Ms. Macarthy," said the woman, "Ink is busy at the moment, perhaps I can help you."

　　"Can I open a window?" The one next to the door was closed.

　　"Of course."

　　Opening it. Didn`t really help.

　　"Hey, Lucy." Riley`s voice coming from outside on the landing, "I`m going to wait out here." Magpie and Wolfe indicating the same. The front door closing.

　　Looking at the woman. "I`ll be right back." Following after them.

　　"That is rancid," said Riley. "I thought we left all that behind at the graveyard. Lucy, I`m really sorry, but could you please deal with that?"

　　"I will. I`ll take a few trips."

　　Opening up the bag, counting out the stones, mostly dull grey but one reddish with speckles. Taking a deep breath and going back in.

　　"Ms. Macarthy," said the woman, "what can I help you with?"

　　Limited air to reply with. "I got these." Stones on the counter. Watching her open up the desk drawer, fish around for something, pull out a magnifying glass and begin to inspect the stones. Getting a puzzled look on her face. Inspecting some more. Putting one of the stones on a set of scales in order to measure the weight. Jotting something down on a piece of paper.

　　"Ms. Macarthy, I`ve got to speak with Ink about these. I`ll be right back."

　　Fast walking out the door. Precious air.

　　"We good?" said Magpie.

　　"Still waiting on them."

　　"They`ve got to be wearing something so they can`t smell that," said Wolfe.

　　A short while later the door opening.

　　"Ms. Macarthy," said Ink, yelling from the stoop, "good to see you."

　　"What happened in there?"

　　"Bit of an explosion this morning," she said, with enthusiasm. "Totally knocked out our sense of smell. I take it that its still in the air?" All of us confirming. "Growing pains. I`ve got some contractors coming to expand the workshop. I guess I should add in some better ventilation to the plans."

　　"Its great to see you`re doing so well."

　　"Thanks to you," she said. "I like those specimens you brought today. Should be able to do some very interesting things. Probably some demand in Ossen for that kind of thing. Or, of course, down in Cress."

　　"The Capital, too, I`d imagine."

　　"Yes," she said, "there`s demand for everything over in the Capital, but its quite a ways away."

　　"So how`d we do today?"

　　"One fifteen for the grey ones, and where`d you get that other?"

　　"That was from a Nightmare that ended up wandering to a place it shouldn`t have been." Glancing at Riley. "You were really the MVP today for helping us deal with that."

　　"You should try and find more of them," said Ink. "Two oh five for that one."

　　At the bank, making a small withdrawal, three gold, all that was needed after today`s cut, between the stones, the flesh fetishes and the tail, still very warm to the touch. About to walk away from the counter, considering, and then getting two more.

　　"I`ll see you later. Oh Evie, Kate, I forgot to tell you, I`m not going to be able to meet up tomorrow. Shit, or really any day five for the foreseeable future. Got more work put on my plate."

　　"Why, what`s up?" said Wolfe.

　　"You`re just dropping this on us now?" said Riley.

　　"I got assigned a partner for tracking down stuff for Ink. He seems pretty decent so far."

　　"What you mean to say," said Magpie, after studying me for a moment, "is you met a guy."

　　"Yeah." My carefree smile eliciting words of encouragement and congratulations from all three. "He`s actually in Stormhawk but so far he seems to be behaving himself."

　　"Hopefully he`s not behaving himself too much," said Magpie.

　　"Just the right amount."

　　"I want to meet him," said Riley, "I`ll get Jack to come. We`ll go on a double date."

　　"Maybe at some point. Going to be real busy for at least a couple cycles."

　　"So what are you doing tonight?"

　　"I was going to head to the pawnshop to get my new axe and then I was going to test it underground."

　　"Okay, but what are you doing tonight?"

　　"Underground."

　　"Underground." Her version of the word phrased a little different, dripping with disdain. "No, I don`t think so. That`s not how your evening`s going to go." Opening my mouth to rebut but Riley steamrolling over. "You need a break - you probably need it more than any of us - you`re coming with us to the festival tonight. I`m not going to listen to any excuses."

　　"You sure about that Evie? What if I`m as annoying as I was the last time?"

　　"Thank you for reminding me. No smoking anything funny this time." Giving her finger a shake.

　　"Yeah," said Magpie, shaking her finger as well, "especially not without sharing."This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

　　"That wasn`t why. The last time I was, um," searching for an explanation, avoiding Riley`s gaze, and catching sight of a man walking into the square from the south. A member of the pact and also a member of the caravan. "Kate, I need your help real quick."

　　"Lucy, you probably shouldn`t smoke that stuff in public," said Wolfe.

　　"You`re probably right. Listen, what we were talking about-" the man at this point already past us and continuing north further into the square. "Evie, I`ll behave myself this time. Thank you for the invite but I`ve got to go deal with something real quick. I`ll meet you guys inside the pawnshop in like ten, fifteen minutes. Thanks, you`re the best."

　　Not waiting for her to respond, jogging, and then running, in the direction the man had headed into the crowd. Catching up and tugging on his cloak.

　　"Excuse me, sir."

　　Glancing back at me, slowing his pace and coming to a stop in the busy square. Bags under his eyes, an unkempt two or three day beard. Doesn`t seem like he gives even half a fuck.

　　"Can I help you with something?" he said.

　　"I was just wondering if I could talk to you about about recruiting."

　　***

　　"Lucy," slurred Riley, holding out the current sample beverage she`d acquired from House Haven`s kiosk, "hold this for a second. I`ve got to go to the rest room."

　　Another month, another street fair. Merchants, once again, calling out to the crowd to hawk their wares. Stands set up, once again, with games of skill and chance lining the busy streets. Theatre troupes and other entertainers, once again, taking to the street to show off their talent and dedication. All the ordinary accouterments of s typical street fair. The Apple Festival, however, different from the usual street fair. Easily one of the most drunken, debauched celebrations of the year, only being beaten out by a couple of the others. And while cider from the titular apple is the most widely available drink of choice, it`s merely one of many on tap.

　　Taking the cup from her while she staggered off with Everton. Whetting my lips only to taste. The liquid some kind of hoppy beer.

　　"Kate, I`m really sorry," said Magpie, her eyes drooping, her voice thick and heavy. "Can you help sober me up? I`ve got to help man our booth in like fifteen minutes." Leaning a bit too much to one side and almost losing her balance, but being caught by Anderson who`d come by to collect her for her shift.

　　Wolfe closing her eyes and muttering something. The audible words coming out of her mouth a moment later undoubtedly much less impatient. "I`ll do what I can."

　　"Kate, can you do that for me when I get back?" asked Walker, also firmly situated in the drunk category. Wolfe not even turning her head to acknowledge him, her hands remaining locked on Magpie. "Thanks babe, love you." Walker wandering off in the direction Everton and Riley had gone to join them in line.

　　"Hugo, do you think I could come with you guys? I`d like to see how everyone`s doing."

　　"I don`t," Anderson hesitating for a moment, "see why not."

　　"You mind if I come, too?" said Wolfe, still concentrating on her work, "I`ve had about enough babysitting for one night."

　　"I`m sorry, I seriously owe you," said Magpie.

　　"I wasn`t referring to you, Grace," said Wolfe, concentrating for a moment more. "How`s that? I can heal the damage its done but I can`t actually remove it from your body."

　　Magpie balancing on one foot with only a slight tremble. "Much better. That`s the second time you`ve saved me today."

　　"Don`t worry about that." Wolfe giving a dismissive wave of her hand.

　　"Sure I`m going to worry about that. Matter of fact I`m gonna get you something to help make your night better."

　　"Don`t worry about that." Wolfe giving another dismissive wave of her hand, and then muttering something else under her breath.

　　"Kate," said Magpie, "I know you`re, like, ultra stressed right now. I know you can`t drink." Wolfe shaking her head. "I mean, I know it doesn`t get you drunk so there`s no point. Which sucks, but you already know that. But, listen, I`ve been here a lot longer than you, I know exactly how shitty this place is, so don`t fucking," Magpie giving a dismissive gesture of her own, "reject my help. Because, no matter what you think, in this particular instance you don`t actually know better than me. You`ve got to chill out every now and then or you`ll end up going bonkers."

　　Wolfe giving her a flat stare.

　　"Excuse me, uh, Kate?" said Anderson, "I was wondering if you could help sober me up some, too?" Wolfe inhaling very briefly, her jaw clenching right after. "Sorry to ask."

　　"Kate, I know I owe you for today," reiterated Magpie, "Twice now. So let me get you back. And, please, as a favor to me, see what you can do for Hugo."

　　Wolfe`s jaw relaxing. A slight shake of her head. "Okay, fine," she finally said, beyond exasperated.

　　"Yeah?" said Magpie.

　　"Yes. But later." Pointing at Anderson. "I`ll do what I can while we walk over." Turning her attention to me. "Thank you for not making my night any harder than it has been."

　　"I`m on good behavior. We ready to go?"

　　"One sec," she said, before jogging over to Everton, Riley and Walker, still standing in the line for the bathroom. Coming back. "Let`s go."

　　The four of us setting off in the direction of Ishtar`s booth. Passing by House Mink`s stand. Grabbing one of the many small cups filled with what turned out to be cider. Taking a small sip. Replacing Riley`s former cup with the cider.

　　Coming up on what sounded like a heated, drunken argument. Getting louder. Two men in plainclothes, beverages in hand. The one facing me slighter of build, muscular. Think he was top sixteen this year. What was his name? Something or other. The other one, similar height, but probably twenty pounds heavier. Space starting to clear out around them. There`s a push. A shove. Are they going to get to this already? No need for this bullshit posturing. Another shove. The one throwing down his beverage. Advantage lost. No, wait, getting into a stance. Oh, shit, this may either be a one sided beatdown or a quick apology.

　　A good amount of space now cleared out around them. The other one tossing his drink and sticking his hands into his pockets. Pulling out an ordinary set of brass knuckles, nothing pokey looking about them. He`s got to know who he`s fighting against. But those aren`t very deadly weapons, seems like its only a friendly dispute. Who are you? Jumping to better see and catching sight of his face. Foster. He`s a brawler? Probably only as a backup, he`s got that giant axe. The other guy probably lost to him in the semis. Well, whoever`s drunker is going to end up losing now.

　　Squaring up against each other, Foster in a boxer`s stance, the other guy more sideways to minimize his profile. Some testing jabs at each other. Foster avoiding a straight kick. Pushing the other guy back with some punches. Blocking another kick and being pushed back himself. Foster trying to get inside to grapple but being clocked by a hook punch to the temple. A normal, non-enhanced punch from the looks of it. Definitely more of a friendly dispute.

　　Foster backing up some in order to regain his balance and getting close to a nearby merchant stall in the process. The next kick aimed his way being dodged, but the Monk`s foot hitting the stall itself, blasting through the wood and tearing it to splinters. The merchant inside the stall, a member of Windward, doing his best to scramble out of the way as the front started buckling. Maybe they`re not actually holding back and this isn`t particularly friendly.

　　Foster blocking another straight kick, taking the impact with no apparent difficulty, and then stepping forward to deliver a haymaker. The Monk smoothly dodging and Foster`s fist taking out one of the vertical supports on the stall, causing the whole thing to collapse to one side. The Monk countering with two solid jabs to his face, rocking his head back. Foster taking them like a normal punches, still on his feet, blood trickling from his now crooked nose. Raising his hands to better protect his head. Tough son of a bitch.

　　Foster moving in closer, probably trying to grapple, but a kick aimed at his knee throwing him off balance and opening his guard. Another hook punch connecting square with his jaw. Lights out. He`d made it to the finals and was one of the favorites to win the festival this time around. Goes to show picking a fistfight with a Monk is a losing proposition, especially when drunk.

　　Continuing on. Passing by Melder`s setup but the man himself not present. Finally arriving at Ishtar`s booth and seeing some familiar faces, but no Daniel among them. One guy, the Mystic that had been in Daniel`s group during the trip. And two girls, Serena and another one, unfamiliar, but also a member of the pact. There had been surprisingly few pact members wandering around during the evening. But if Empaths made up a sizable portion of the group it made sense they didn`t want to be anywhere near all this.

　　"You guys are off," said Anderson, diverting Serena`s attention away from me. "We`re here to relieve you."

　　"Why`s Macarthy here?" From her tone it appeared a small detail may have slipped out of the confines of Liz`s office.

　　"Mac`s gonna help me with the booth."

　　"I didn`t ask you." Serena continuing to stare at Anderson, not even looking at Magpie.

　　"Serena, I come in peace. I don`t want things to be bad between us, and I want to talk to Daniel, if he`s in."

　　"Daniel?" she said, before giving an unamused laugh. "He isn`t in today but I doubt there`s anything he wants to say to you. And don`t think I`m gullible enough to fall for any peace offering from you, Macarthy."

　　"Grace wants her to help," replied Anderson, evenly. "And the order was rescinded."

　　"I`m sure she does. After all, they`re birds of a feather. A thieving magpie and a corpse gorged crow." Serena shifting her eyes between the three of us. "You don`t actually believe it, do you, Hugo?"

　　"Its certainly possible," said Anderson, shrugging. So much for Liz`s assurance of secrecy, seems like they all know. "Letting her work the booth won`t do any harm."

　　"I see why you weren`t all that upset about getting kicked out," said Wolfe, while giving Magpie a concerned look.

　　"Fine," said Serena, ignoring Wolfe`s remark. "She can work the booth. Let some of her waitress experience at Sam`s be put to good use."

　　A waitress at Sam`s? Looking down at my clothing. It sort of makes sense why she thinks that. The upstairs part, maybe. "I`m not working as waitress for Sam."

　　"No need to be bashful about it," said Serena. "You clearly just got off your shift or something, wearing that. All you need`s a pad of paper to start taking orders."

　　"What`s wrong with my outfit?"

　　"Nothing," she said, with a smirk, "it suits you. You know something, Macarthy, after seeing you here tonight, I just want you to know that I`m not afraid of you. And I`m not the only one. A lot of us aren`t - not anymore - not of some has been waitress."

　　Not afraid? Must`ve had a decent amount to drink, running her mouth like that. Liquid courage can sometimes leave you feeling gutted later on.

　　"This isn`t a waitress outfit." Rolling her eyes at that. "I specifically designed this outfit to be modest, cute and functional. It succeeds admirably on all counts. And let me tell you something, I don`t give a shit if you don`t like it, you can go fuck yourself."

　　"Lucy," said Wolfe, "its not worth it."

　　"Serena," said the other woman, putting a hand on her shoulder, her eyes also on Magpie.

　　Serena sparing her friend a glance before turning her attention to Wolfe. "You called her Lucy? Well, we already have a magpie and a crow, I guess that makes you the braindead hen of the bunch."

　　"Serena," said Anderson. "that`s totally unnecess-"

　　After her initial comment had been so rudely brushed off Magpie had lapsed into her typical, sullen method of dealing with Serena. Balling her fists and clamping her mouth shut. Only watching, her expression still, icy and hateful. And now her stillness breaking, backing up a step and leaping over the table. Jamming her thumb directly into Serena`s left eye. Serena trying to back away, but stumbling and the two going down. Magpie, on top, not yelling, not screaming, not making any noise whatsoever, only focusing on keeping her right hand latched on to where it was and delivering body blows with her left. Serena, on the other hand, screeching and trying to to dislodge the thumb out of her eye socket.

　　"Grace!" Wolfe and Anderson yelling in unison.

　　The scuffle, the one sided beatdown, drawing some attention from the crowd but only lasting a short while. Anderson and the Mystic pulling Magpie off. Magpie, for her part, more than satisfied with what she`d accomplished and offering no resistance. Serena, still laying on the ground, clutching the side of her face, giving out weak coughs while being tended to by her friend.

　　"Lucy," said Riley, coming up from behind and surveying the aftermath, "what did you do?"

　　"It wasn`t me, I swear."

　　"But you were involved, I bet."

　　"Sometimes these things just sort of happen."

　　Serena being helped to her feet, still covering her left eye, and then being led away with assistance. Wolfe inside the Ishtar booth with Magpie and Walker going over to talk. Anderson coming over to me.

　　"Uh," he said, looking very conflicted.

　　"You mind if I help?"

　　"If you want," he said, not looking any less conflicted.

　　"I do. Evie, I`ll catch you guys later?"

　　"We`ll be around. Keep an eye on Kate for me, okay?"

　　"Will do."