"Lucy, Magpie, here`s to you. Good job." The entire table raising their mugs at Daniel`s toast, giving us smiles and nods and echoes of good job.

　　Basking in their well earned praise. Raising our mugs in return.

　　"It wouldn`t have been possible without all you guys, you earned it."

　　We were sitting at a long square table in a proper restaurant. A really nice restaurant, tablecloths and everything. Maybe they`d gotten tired of the ambiance where we were staying, maybe they felt the sudden windfall called for a more upscale meal. Either way, a welcome change of pace.

　　"But what in the hell did you get up to today?" said Daniel. "Wandering in like that. You may have pulled it off, but it was totally irresponsible. You should have asked for help."

　　Wait, are we getting chewed out? In front of everybody, nonetheless. Trying to come up with a response that wasn`t complete venom.

　　"But we did get it done," said Magpie. "What`s the problem?"

　　"Grace, honey," said Anderson, "you can`t just go running off half cocked in a strange city."

　　"Hugo, don`t patronize me. You`re not my fucking dad."

　　"Mags, take it easy."

　　"Bee," pointing her finger at him, "you stay out of this."

　　"I`m trying to look out for you," said Anderson.

　　"I want to hear it." Daniel hitting his hand on the table several times, calling for silence. "Tell me what happened today. There might be some future consequences we need to know about."

　　Glancing at Magpie. Should we tell them? A slight tilt of her head.

　　"So me and Magpie went over to-"

　　"Wait, stop," said Anderson. "Why is everyone calling her Magpie now?"

　　"That`s her name. Didn`t I tell you that? Try and keep up."

　　"No," said Anderson. "No, that is not her name. I`m going to ask around the table. What is this girl`s name?"

　　Pointing at me. "Magpie." Of course.

　　Pointing at some random shlub. "Uh..."

　　Pointing at Serena. "Magpie." Getting a surprised look on his face.

　　Glancing over at Daniel. "Magpie." Getting a little more concerned.

　　Looking at Blindside, but then skipping him. Nobody else at the table meeting his eyes.

　　"Well I`m not calling you that," said Anderson. Magpie shrugging. Looking at me. "I don`t suppose you`ve got any pet names you`d like us to call you?"

　　All their eyes on me.

　　"Mac," said Magpie, after a moment. Blindside giving her a quizzical glance.

　　"I`ve got no objection to that."

　　"Mac?" said Anderson. "Fine. Whatever. Knock yourself out."

　　"Okay, Mac," said Daniel, trying to get his head around it. "No, I`m not calling you that, either. Lucy, what happened."

　　"So me and Magpie, we had to go find the buyer for those little stones I`ve been collecting thanks to all you guys. We went over to the bazaar - total craziness over there, no one telling us nothing - but then we managed to find a guy who knew the guy we were looking for. But then it turned out that guy is working for this other guy now. So then we had to go back across the river to visit that guy. Armando Urasu."

　　"Urasu?" said Daniel, with alarm. "Did you end up getting in a fight with the Urasu family?"

　　Maybe shouldn`t have started with Urasu.

　　"No, you see-"

　　"Who`s the Urasu family?" asked Greene, adding his color to the conversation.

　　"The Urasu," said Daniel, turning to look at him, "are the ruling family in this city. You`ve see all those symbols outside everywhere, the red dragon`s head, that`s them. All the merchants we`re escorting are probably doing business with them, in one way or another. Picking a fight with them would be disastrous." Turning back to me. "Please tell me you didn`t."

　　"No, nothing like that. Back in Lumeer I`ve been doing business with this woman, she runs this shop called Ink`s Charms. I told her I was coming out here and she gave me a letter to give to her brother. It turns out her brother is working for the Urasu family. I don`t know about the rest of them, but Armando Urasu, at least, is actually a pretty nice guy. We got a great price on those stones. When are we planning on getting out of town?"

　　"Three days from now, when we get back in," said Daniel, "eight in the morning. Why?"

　　"I`ve got to go back over there and get a letter that the brother wants to send back to his sister. Should be plenty of time to pick it up then."

　　"Wait," said Daniel, "so it all worked out fine? What happened to you two, then?"

　　"Yeah that part went fine. Wait, you said the merchants are doing business with Urasu. Now that you mention it, we saw some of their merchandise. People. Well, not people. Them. Not slaves, but maybe indentured servants. And the only reason I`d even say they`re servants is because he called them merchandise. Otherwise I`d think they were only paying passage to emigrate." Giving him a level look. "You happen to know anything about that?"

　　Daniel glancing over at Anderson. The waitress coming over with our food, starting to distribute it. The conversation hitting a bit of a lull while we started to eat.

　　"No, I don`t know anything about that," said Daniel. Studying his face. He doesn`t seem to be lying. "I`ll talk to some of the merchants and see what they`re doing. How many of them were there?"

　　"Maybe fifteen, twenty. Seemed strange."

　　"That is not usually the type of merchandise we traffic in," said Daniel. Studying his face again. He`s probably telling the truth. "How`d you get so messy, then?"

　　"We were coming back from Urasu`s with this fat bank note in hand, so we head over to the bank to cash it. The tough part of the job complete, or so we figured. We get up to the teller, hand her the note, fee for cashing the note, couple fines, you know, the usual, and then on our way."

　　"You had fines. Plural?" said Daniel. "We`ve been here for one night and today, what kind of fines did you manage to get in such a short amount of time?"

　　"Two counts of assault, nothing major. So, anyway-"

　　"What?" said Daniel. "That`s-" Stopping his lecture before it even started at my expression.

　　"Like I said, nothing major. So, anyway, get this, they have us sitting in the bank waiting for the money for almost twenty minutes. And you should have seen this teller, she had this look on her face like she knew something we didn`t. So we finally get the money after hurrying her along, and I tell that smug fucking bitch that if anything happens to us, she`s going to hear about it. Wiped that look right off her face."

　　"You threatened the teller?" Daniel taking it in stride at this point.

　　"Those tellers steal so much money that threat was way overdue. Anyway, we get ready for things to go south as soon as we get outside, and sure enough, they do. There`s a couple of them out there, so we book it. Got back over to this side of the river and then snuck back through the sewers. And that`s what happened."

　　Sitting back, considering us. "I don`t suppose you made good on your threat since then."

　　That`s your question? You think all those things over in Lumeer are polite because its in their nature? Nah. Not all of `em.

　　"Had to. We just let her know we were upset. Told her to tell her friends what might happen. A little bit of respect on both sides goes a long way. Speaking of which, I appreciate you`re responsible for keeping things running smooth on this trip, but the next time you feel like doing something like this, give me the courtesy of doing it in private."

　　Taking a bite of his meal, chewing, considering my words.

　　"In another instance, maybe. But in this one, no. This was a matter that potentially concerned all of us and I felt it deserved a public hearing."

　　Nodding my head, considering his words.

　　"I think you overreacted. Are you satisfied with my explanation?"

　　"Yes. But you should have gotten some help."

　　***

　　"Fucking Daniel, fucking ingrate."

　　"Don`t worry about that," said Magpie. "What do you want to do tonight?"

　　Sitting in our room, chilling out on the couch, our shoeless feet up on the bed.

　　"I don`t know. Nothing. That dinner left a bad taste in my mouth. But don`t worry about me, and don`t let some stupid fifteen feet bullshit spoil your night. Any of them give you shit, tell them I`m in the can. If they persist I`ll help them get their head straight later."

　　"Alright," she said. "But aside from nothing, what are you going to be doing tonight?"If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it`s taken without the author`s consent. Report it.

　　"I`ll probably stay in here and smoke some of this," pulling out the recently purchased tin of sweet smelling resin, "and contemplate my place in existence. And be temporarily happy doing it."

　　"That doesn`t sound like a bad night. Mind if I join for a bit?"

　　"You are most certainly more than welcome. In that case, let me get more comfortable."

　　Undoing the spider`s silk tying the end and loosening the braid. Getting the comb and starting.

　　"That looks like a real hassle to deal with," said Magpie.

　　"Yeah, its got its moments. I`ve thought about cutting it shorter but I also really like it. So take the bad with the good." Continuing to comb it out. "That`s probably enough, let me get the pipe." Digging through my pack and finding something else. "Oh shit, I totally forgot. We`ve got to do something else first."

　　Getting out Wolfe`s gift.

　　"This is pretty easy to use. Hold it in your hand and concentrate on it, you`ll see what I mean. And then not too much, don`t get crazy, its not going to hit you until like ten seconds later. I figure a little bit of this, a little bit of that`ll be a nice combination. But you`ve got to do it first because I`m going to try and charge it right after. And I`ve never done that before. I`m not sure what`s going to happen."

　　"What do you think could happen?" she said.

　　"I don`t know. When I first did that duplicate trick I was worried it was going to explode, like the pieces got real slippery and I was worried that I`d lose my grip and they`d snap back together. I`ve gotten used to it but its still a concern. I need to be careful every time I do it."

　　Magpie`s face falling. "How many times have you done that next to me?"

　　"More than a couple. That`s why I`m sure we`ll be fine. But I don`t know what this is like, maybe easy. I need to test it out, but I`m not going to push my luck."

　　"Do it on the other side of the room," she said, "But let me see."

　　Handing it over, her staring at it.

　　"Oh, that`s- okay, just a touch," she said. Both of us waiting. Her expression changing. "That`s interesting." Standing up, standing on one foot. "Not quite drunk, but that`s a good amount." Putting her arms out now as well. "Instant drunkenness hitting you is weird, usually it creeps up on you." Starting to giggle. "That`s a really cool gift." Returning to the couch and putting her feet back up.

　　"I`ll do it over here."

　　Sitting cross-legged on the floor near the door. Not a big room, maybe six feet away from Magpie curiously watching from the couch. Not looking concerned.

　　Putting both my hands on the item. Infuse. Putting the mana into the item like any other rune. Okay, there, done. Now what. Tapping it. No. Shaking it. Can sort of feel fullness, like a liquid inside. Very full still. More than ninety percent, by volume, certainly. Probably just need to feed it more mana. Feeding some into it but finding it hard to stop, like a siphon, pulling it out of me. Trying to sever the connection, but suddenly stopping on its own. Shaking it again. The figurine full now.

　　Giving Magpie a thumbs up. "We`re good."

　　"Nothing happened," she said, disappointed.

　　"That`s a good thing." Just a bit from it. "Alright, let me get that pipe."

　　Starting to dig through my pack and then it hitting. Turning back to look at Magpie, "Yeah, that is weird."

　　"Told you."

　　Getting the pipe and the half full box of matches. Getting some tobacco and putting it in the bowl, and then a small bit of the sweet resin on top. Maybe a bit more than that. Putting a bit more.

　　Sparking it up, taking a hit, and then another. Passing it to Magpie. Back and forth, the bad thoughts all being chased away. Starting to get giggly, hitting the pipe, passing it back. Magpie with her hand over her mouth, laughing and then taking her turn. Taking it back. Giggling. Magpie giggling back. Each of us laughing at the other laughing.

　　Pipe done, reclining on the couch, our feet up on the bed, eyes closed, full of warmth and good fuzzies.

　　"Lucy," said Magpie. Opening my eyes and glancing over. A lazy grin on her face. "In your bullshit story tonight you totally skipped over the best part."

　　"What part are you talking about? I don`t remember. I mentioned how we got the money and how we got back." My lazy grin answering hers.

　　"I think something might have happened somewhere in there." she said.

　　"I don`t know if they need to know that. Ever since Serena said I`m in a little box," making a little box with my hands, "I figure sharing details like that with people who aren`t being straight with me is wasted effort. Fuck `em. We know what happened."

　　Giggling overtaking her. "I think you`re just upset your little box isn`t getting any attention."

　　"That`s-" Giggling along with her. "Well, yeah. This whole trip has thrown me for a loop. Came in expecting, I don`t know what. And then hearing about this stupid rule bullshit. And then walking in on them today. Its wild. You, at least, have been a point of sanity. What I saw is exactly what I got."

　　"Happy to be of service," said Magpie, devolving into more giggles. "This trip has been the opposite for me. I haven`t had this much fun since-" getting a crafty look on her face, deliberately bringing up her hand to stroke her chin, making me crack up. "I know we were pretty wasted the other night, but what`d you mean saying that you`re Mac."

　　"I am Mac. Don`t you believe me?"

　　"Fuck no," she said, laughing, "I don`t know. You`ve said some shit, you`ve done some shit, but sorry, not convinced. Bridge too far."

　　"Don`t worry about it, you`ll come around." Busting out laughing.

　　"Okay," she said, trying to look serious, trying to hold it in, "we`ll see. I`m going to start calling you Mac, as an advance, and you can keep working on convincing me. Those are some big fucking shoes you`re trying to step in."

　　"Deal." Reaching out my hand. Her taking it, and then us cracking up. "When we get back from this, you`re going to start coming out with me. I`ll manage to convince you a hundred percent. What`s your schedule?"

　　"I`m off two, three and four," she said, her smile fading just a bit. Realizing now. There go your lazy days. Gone.

　　"Great, I`ve got two, four, five, plenty of-"

　　Some knocks at the door interrupting our conversation. Now who could that be?

　　Bouncing up out of the couch, cracking my neck and grabbing my knife. Not brandishing, just, you know, holding it. Magpie putting a hand over her mouth, unsuccessfully trying to hold in her laughter. Opening the door a bit, peeking out. Daniel and Anderson. Opening the door the entire way and tossing the knife onto the bed.

　　"Oh, hey, its you guys, whats up?" Big grin on my face. Magpie`s ear to ear.

　　The two men taking in the scene, the pipe on the arm of the couch, the sweet smell in the air. Daniel`s eyes returning to me. That`s a nice look. Don`t think he`s seen me with my hair down yet.

　　"Mind if we come in," said Daniel.

　　"Yeah, tons of room, c`mon in."

　　The two squeezing into the small room. Anderson taking a seat on the couch, Mapgie instantly snuggling with him, Daniel sitting on the bed next to me. Tempted, but keeping my hands to myself.

　　"We went and talked to those merchants," said Daniel, "about that merchandise you said they were going to be bringing."

　　"What line did they feed you?"

　　"It was exactly what you said, they`re being sold as indentured servants for a couple years to pay for their passage over," he said. "They even tried to see if we`d take a couple for the house, to help in the kitchen and with janitorial."

　　Roy had accused me of being a spy. Meanwhile these jabbering things are going to get embedded into everywhere. And no one is going to think twice.

　　"I hope you didn`t." Grin coming on despite myself.

　　"Coming all the way over to Lumeer with little more than the clothes on their back?" said Daniel. "They`re asking a fair price and we`ll be helping them out."

　　A giggling fit taking over. Putting my hands over my face trying to stop it. Daniel wrapping his arms around me.

　　"Hugo," said Daniel. "I`ve got to talk to Lucy in private. I`ll see you in a couple days when we get back."

　　Neither of them having any complaints at that, getting up and heading out the door.

　　"Hey Mac," said Magpie, turning, with a wink, "lotsa luck tonight." Door closing.

　　Leaning against Daniel, the giggling fit subsiding, looking up at him.

　　"Serena spoke with me," said Daniel, "and she made me realize I`m not taking your feelings into consideration. I want you to know I appreciate what you did for all of us, and for putting up with my questions at dinner."

　　"What makes you think I`m going to let you?"

　　"You can try and stop me at any time," he said, leaning down, pressing his lips against mine, and then me hungrily pressing back. Opening his mouth, tongue invading and then devouring mine. His hands unbuttoning my shirt, stopping to tweak my nipples, my sounds lost in his mouth, and then pulling it off. Small currents of electricity running through me. His off too, interrupting the kiss, and then my tanktop coming off. Pushing me back a couple steps, sitting me on the bed, his hand forcibly laying me back. Unbuckling my own belt, pants off, then panties. Totally nude. The first man to see.

　　Leaning down and resuming his kiss, one hand on my breast and the other on my stomach, heading down. His thick, strong fingers, insistent, running over my slit. Starting me up, one digit probing, gently slipping in. Soft motions, getting rougher. Moaning into his mouth, giving sharper cries each time he pinched a nipple.

　　A second digit joining the first, his fingers so thick, my sounds filling the room. Blindly reaching my hand, looking to return the favor, but still wearing pants. Daniel pulling back, breaking the kiss, the hand pinching my nipple holding me down, his other relentless on my pussy.

　　"This is for you tonight," he said, "you can thank me after we get back to town."

　　Annoyed growl coming from my throat, between gasps. Reaching out my hand out to him again. Pulling his soaked fingers from me, increasing my annoyance.

　　"You be a good girl for me and you`ll get your reward," he said. "Or I can walk out that door right now. Are you going to be good?"

　　"I`ll be good."

　　"What are you going to be?" he said, fingers toying again.

　　"I`ll be your good girl."

　　"That`s good. This is what good girls get." Daniel`s fingers plunging in again hard, his palm on my button, causing my eyes to roll back, pulling a sound from my depths. Turning to putty in his hands. His skilled fingers, relentless, bringing me to my peak.

　　Several times later, basking in the afterglow. Daniel removing his pants, taking my hand and placing it on his full member.

　　"Tell me what you want," he said, starting to play with my sodden opening.

　　"I, I want," feeling huge in my small hand, "I want you to feel as happy as you made me."

　　The devilish glint in his eye fading, the arrogant smirk softening. "Under everything, you`re really just a sweetheart, aren`t you?" Removing his hand from chest and gently caressing my face.

　　"I`ll try to be."

　　Sitting up and taking my prize in both hands. Starting my ministrations, sheathing and unsheathing the head. The motion hypnotic, the smell intoxicating, a bead of liquid pooling at the tip. His manhood complete. Unscarred, unbetrayed, unassaulted, unsacrificed.

　　Pouring my feelings into my work, using both hands and engulfing the head, my tongue making circles under the foreskin. Earning a groan. Sending my unmistakable message, every soft touch felt, every bit of pleasure received. Returning some of the electricity he`d sent to me from his fingers, the shocks still running through. My gratitude and my adoration. Getting completely lost in my devotion.

　　Getting close now, can feel it, can taste it. The pitch of his groans definitely changing, too. Going to be a very good girl. Glancing up, our eyes connecting. Pulling back prematurely and softly teasing the glistening tip.

　　"I need you to fuck me." His eyes narrowing at my command.

　　Resuming my prayers, keeping my gaze locked on his. Receiving the gift of life in several shots. Not the greatest flavor - had been expecting that - but far from the worst. The consistency, on the other hand, mucous or snot. Down the hatch.

　　Doing the after church service: sweeping the floors, cleaning the pews, polishing the knobs. Making sure everything is ready for the eleven o`clock mass, hopefully coming up real soon. Maybe pack the bowl again beforehand, let him experience an added touch of spirituality.

　　"You`re a very bad girl, aren`t you?"

　　"I`m being extra good for you." Giving a trail of kisses.

　　"Bad girls get special treatment." Forcefully pushing me down again, his mouth merciless on my nipples, his fingers filling my cunt. Moaning, squirming, unable to break free. Powerless to prevent his assault. Some time later completely exhausted, but warm and glowing, ready for the main event. Instead getting a gentle kiss on the cheek. Daniel grabbing his clothes and leaving the room.

　　"Sweet dreams," he said, on the way out. Likely returning to Serena across the hall.