Chapter Five: Honesty

The most-feared sort of person is the one that never lies about their thoughts.

With that creepy girl back in Naisha, everyone and their sister found an excuse to lounge around in the little bar here.

Laikos, the ol' geezer, took it upon himself to manage the bar, and never took a sip of alcohol. I see Cleos, with his usual frown, speaking animatedly to Soran, who guzzles down glass after glass of rum like a maniac. Beside Cleos is my own sister, Marini. While she never talks, it is obvious she is engaged deeply in their conversation, a soft smile on her face. At a table near the door, the princess and her knight and chatting silently to each other, even in times of enjoyment, I notice that the knight is stiff as ever. 

Outside, the two kids, Nutre and Raiwind, are out playing tag in empty streets, and off in the distance, watching out for them, is Deanna. Out of everyone, only lover boy and the star of the show are nowhere to be seen.

Everyone brings a new sort of energy to the town. Whether it's by giving loud conversations or providing a simple drink, everyone is able to have fun for one day.

I, on the other hand, am relaxing in the far back with nothing but a glass of booze and a killer headache. This isn't my type of environment. I hate places louder than I am; it is such a bother to deal with and just not worth my time if I cannot get a word in edgewise. The noise gradually gets louder and louder and resonates in my ears. Like a gunshot resounding just outside your ear. I only manage to scan the room often, not bothering with my peers.

Or assumed peers. I never put myself on their level. My standards are better than that.

During my escapade of the room, Laikos locks eyes with me, wiping a wine glass absently with narrow orbs of brown. Without a word, he tilts his head to the door.

Loiterers aren't exactly welcome here, apparently. I give a laugh, and bare a parting wave before escorting myself out. Already, that trio has already moved on to another playground, leaving the area completely empty of anyone. Something else I dislike, empty wide spaces. As empty as a human's intelligence quotient is low.

For that reason, I get myself over to near the edges of this town. There's but two narrow paths. One leading to that Auction Deck, and the other leads to a circular path around the entire city. Neither are significantly special, but they're better than wide roads and streets with no one occupying them.

Naisha, this town, has some odd ways to deal with things. We have vigils on Giver's Day, and celebrations when Elves return. The only Elf I know who isn't able to complain is my sister. She can't say anything about it. Or anything, really. It's a bit of a drag, having a silent twin.

However, she is nothing compared to that stick in the mud Deanna. She used to be a livewire, one of those feisty comrades one could depend on and be friends with. But ever since a "certain accident" I seem to be on her bad side. Trying to speak to her is like eating chalk. Nothing short of dry and goddamn pointless.

Walking aimlessly down this round path, I see birds up in the sky flying slowly. I grimace, knowing that around my waist isn't a belt holding my holster, let alone a gun to shoot down some real meat. Running low as it is, so the stupid bird brains don't need to rub it in my face.

Then in a flash, there's some other problem that is just begging to get maimed.

The sound of all too familiar clip-clops is worse than eating chalk. It's like getting a massage from nails and hot irons.

I give a bitter laugh, shaking my laugh.

"Well s**t, these guys are gonna crash the party."