The Bookwyrm

Forrest chuckled. "From your perspective, I suppose." He grew serious. "I'd like to propose a little arrangement. For my own benefit, yes. But also for yours. And I think you'll find it favorable, especially because it requires you to do very little."

"If you two are going to continue this, I'm going to need you to do it outside my home," Rashi said. "It's been seven years." She turned her gaze towards Marewill. "Move on."

"I'm standing right here," Rashi said. "It's my house. Ask me." "You know, Moongaze has facilities to house people who need a place to stay? This isn't the Dystopia anymore. There are places to get help."

Mr. Forrest watched on a monitor. Third is taking some...interesting actions. Perhaps it's time I make my own investments... *** The tiny microphone attached to the shoulder of Sharlin's shirt beeped slightly, indicating a communication from a GM. @J. Magi @SmilingPanda19

To All Tributes: The sun begins to rise. @Unintelligenius @Lord Spirit @TwinSouls @The Stormfather @Through The Living Glass @The Aspiring Archivist @Scars of Hathsin @TheRavenHasLanded @J. Magi

Rashi came down the stairs at that point. "Oh, Emma, you didn't need to cook," she said kindly. "This is my house, after all. I-" She hesitated, seeing the sliced roll on the floor. She looked around the room. "Am I interrupting something?" @Spark of Hope @Ancient Elantrian @The Stormfather @Scars of Hathsin *** Tinker stood in the living room, overhearing the conversation coming from downstairs. He smiled. That's what we fought for, those two years. A wave of sorrow overcame him as the notice appeared for the third tribute death on the TV. And what we might have to fight for again...is my Dad right? Do I need to lead us? At that point, Milay walked through the front door. "Someone's looking contemplative." Tinker smirked. "You know me. I'm the one to get swallowed up in the past whenever I'm reminded of it." Milay snorted. "Only because you met your fiancée in that arena. And don't put on the grizzled veteran act. I'm the one who actually fought in the war." Tinker laughed. "I know. Thanks for that, by the way." She smiled. "No problem." Milay the war had definitely had an effect on Milay. She was stronger now, more sturdy, and had a small scar on her face, near her cheekbone. Despite being only in her mid-twenties, a year or two behind Tinker, she had an air of experience and wisdom about her. The entire country knew her name, along with Tinker's, and the names of their parents. Tinker wondered often if he lived up to that, but never doubted that Milay did. Still, she was happy. And, if rumors were to be believed... "How's Josef doing?" Milay hesitated. "He's fine. But that's none of your business." Yep. They're dating. She turned and looked around the house, heard the voices from downstairs. She smiled fondly. "You think Iara would have been proud of us?" Tinker smiled. "I'm sure she would have been, yes."

@SpiritOfWrath

Ma'tani picked up her bag walked to the lower portion of the inn. She didn't plan on eating breakfast. There were rations she could eat on the way to Truehearth. She sat at a table in the corner and waited for the rest of the party to come down. @J. Magi @Through The Living Glass @RoyalBeeMage? @Who else is coming with us? @Spark of Hope [If you want to do some kind of goodbye or something]

Tinker frowned. "Hey, you came to live in Moongaze with the rest of us. You had every chance to take their side. No one was stopping you." "There are a lot of stories like that from across the world. I mean, the culture of this area of the Crescent is based on a ancient religion that worshiped the moons, plural. We only have one moon. So...there are things in ancient history we simply can't describe or understand, I suppose...but it's effects lace our world down to it's fundamental nature."

"They're a symbol of what we have to end, is what they are," Tinker said.

He squeezed back. "Thanks." Then he turned his attention to the TV. "How's it looking?"

He smiled and kissed her forehead. "Political. He never needed me to be anything more than his son, family-wise."

"It's..." He sighed. "Just my dad having expectations I'm not ready to live up to," he said, softly enough that only she could hear.

Tinker smiled. "I know. But I promise, it's nothing you have to worry about." "Sorry," he said sheepishly. "Didn't mean to startle you."

Tinker started. "Oh, Mark. Good to see you. ...It's nothing, don't worry about it."

She saw Tinker coming down them in somewhat of a rush. He looked a little angry.

"I'm not entirely sure, actually...he might be with Falr. Or it might just be that this is as hard on him as it is you." She smirked. "I thought you'd know better than anyone."

Rashi smiled back. "It's what I'm here for." She stood in silence for a moment, then spoke again. "I'm glad my son found you."