Getting the Band Together - Revision history

Tolknor: /* A visitor from the Middle */

2025-08-05T23:29:59Z

A visitor from the Middle

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:29, 5 August 2025
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	==A visitor from the Middle==		==A visitor from the Middle==
	[[File:Gadget guitar2.jpg\|150px]][[File:Adrian2.jpg\|150px]][[File:Cali-guitiar.jpg\|150px]]		[[File:Gadget guitar2.jpg\|150px]][[File:Adrian2.jpg\|150px]][[File:Cali-guitiar.jpg\|150px]][[File:Tiffy's violin.jpg\|150px]]

	The night was going well. Midnight had passed, and no one had been thrown out.		The night was going well. Midnight had passed, and no one had been thrown out.

Tolknor: /* A visitor from the Middle */

2025-08-05T23:18:04Z

A visitor from the Middle

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:18, 5 August 2025
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	==A visitor from the Middle==		==A visitor from the Middle==
	[[File:Gadget guitar2.jpg\|150px]][[File:Adrian2.jpg\|150px]]		[[File:Gadget guitar2.jpg\|150px]][[File:Adrian2.jpg\|150px]][[File:Cali-guitiar.jpg\|150px]]

	The night was going well. Midnight had passed, and no one had been thrown out.		The night was going well. Midnight had passed, and no one had been thrown out.

Tolknor: /* A visitor from the Middle */

2025-08-05T20:48:05Z

A visitor from the Middle

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:48, 5 August 2025
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	==A visitor from the Middle==		==A visitor from the Middle==
	[[File:Gadget guitar2.jpg\|~~100px~~]][[File:Adrian2.jpg\|150px]]		[[File:Gadget guitar2.jpg\|150px]][[File:Adrian2.jpg\|150px]]

	The night was going well. Midnight had passed, and no one had been thrown out.		The night was going well. Midnight had passed, and no one had been thrown out.

Tolknor: /* A visitor from the Middle */

2025-08-05T20:47:50Z

A visitor from the Middle

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:47, 5 August 2025
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	==A visitor from the Middle==		==A visitor from the Middle==
			[[File:Gadget guitar2.jpg\|100px]][[File:Adrian2.jpg\|150px]]

	The night was going well. Midnight had passed, and no one had been thrown out.		The night was going well. Midnight had passed, and no one had been thrown out.
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	The Ugly Ferret was gaining a very different reputation since Gadget brought the Stone Bench Group to perform. The small stage had been expanded, and better lighting installed. Eddie, on lead guitar, and his girl Tiffy, on violin and piano, led the group. Holden, a tall, quiet youth, handled rhythm guitar. Jax, the hyperactive Black drummer, laid down a righteous beat that kept things moving.		The Ugly Ferret was gaining a very different reputation since Gadget brought the Stone Bench Group to perform. The small stage had been expanded, and better lighting installed. Eddie, on lead guitar, and his girl Tiffy, on violin and piano, led the group. Holden, a tall, quiet youth, handled rhythm guitar. Jax, the hyperactive Black drummer, laid down a righteous beat that kept things moving.

	Cali had started to attract her own following—drawn in by her legendary refusal to face the crowd while playing and her near-total silence offstage. She and Jax mostly kept to themselves. But Cali played a powerful four-string bassline, while Gadget led a heavier six-string bass with her resin-cast bass guitar.		Cali had started to attract her own following—drawn in by her legendary refusal to face the crowd while playing and her near-total silence offstage. She and Jax mostly kept to themselves. But Cali played a powerful four-string bassline, while Gadget led a heavier six-string bass with her new resin-cast bass guitar, the colored marblees in resin gleamed and sparkled whenever light hit them. .

	Behind the scenes, Waldo—the group’s massive chief roadie—moved a pair of guitars over to Cali and Gadget’s side of the stage in preparation for the upcoming Devo cover.		Behind the scenes, Waldo—the group’s massive chief roadie—moved a pair of guitars over to Cali and Gadget’s side of the stage in preparation for the upcoming Devo cover.

Tolknor: /* A visitor from the Middle */

2025-08-05T19:29:28Z

A visitor from the Middle

Tolknor: /* Cast of Characters */

2025-08-05T19:27:51Z

Cast of Characters

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:27, 5 August 2025
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	On You Tube find-(/watch?v=e5bqKafk9HA)- wiki wouldn't let me publish a youtube link		On You Tube find-(/watch?v=e5bqKafk9HA)- wiki wouldn't let me publish a youtube link

			==A visitor from the Middle==

			The night was going well. Midnight had passed, and no one had been thrown out.
			The Ugly Ferret was gaining a very different reputation since Gadget brought the Stone Bench Group to perform. The small stage had been expanded, and better lighting installed. Eddie, on lead guitar, and his girl Tiffy, on violin and piano, led the group. Holden, a tall, quiet youth, handled rhythm guitar. Jax, the hyperactive Black drummer, laid down a righteous beat that kept things moving.
			Cali had started to attract her own following—drawn in by her legendary refusal to face the crowd while playing and her near-total silence offstage. She and Jax mostly kept to themselves. But Cali played a powerful four-string bassline, while Gadget led a heavier six-string bass with her resin-cast bass guitar.
			Behind the scenes, Waldo—the group’s massive chief roadie—moved a pair of guitars over to Cali and Gadget’s side of the stage in preparation for the upcoming Devo cover.
			Saturday nights at the Ugly Ferret had become enough to keep the band fed without needing to spend the week busking. That meant more time to write songs, relax, drink—and do other things that maybe weren’t so good for them. Still, they managed to hit the stage each week to the roar of growing dive-bar crowds.
			Lucky couldn’t believe how much his life had changed. The Blind Reapers were gone, never to return, and with their absence came freedom from the daily fear that the biker gang would kill him—or any random walk-in—just to make a point.
			Wrecker, a middle-aged man with a history as a truck driver, punk rocker, band roadie, and sometime knee-breaker, sat at the bar alongside his partner Reggy, a disgraced ex-police detective turned muscle and roadie. They listened to the surf-punk sound of the Stone Bench Group with Lucky.
			Reggy said to Wrecker and Lucky, “They’re really building their sound. Hard to believe how much I’m growing to like their style. I’d have lost a bet about it six months ago.”
			Lucky added, “Six months ago, I woke up every morning dreading the day. I keep hoping the Blind Reapers don’t come back and try to take the place over again.”
			“They won’t,” Wrecker said flatly.
			Reggy nodded. “And like I said before, if they do come back—it’s okay. We know some necromancers.”
			Wrecker chuckled as Lucky shook his head, not sure why Wrecker found that funny.
			“Not much rough trade tonight,” Lucky said. “The Sixth Street boys must have found someplace else to go.”
			The night wore on. At 2 a.m., the band moved into their final set and two encores.
			A tall man entered quietly and slipped up to the bar. He had long blond hair braided down his back, colorful beads woven into the strands. Dressed in blue jeans and a jacket held together with patches from around the world, he looked almost gentle despite his height. He ordered a draft beer and listened for a while.
			After a few songs, he walked over to the trio and stood before them, smiling.
			Reggy asked, “Something on your mind, buddy?”
			The man leaned over and handed a folded bundle of bills to Lucky. “Can I set up a tab?”
			Lucky glanced at the wad. “Hell yeah. There’s two grand here. That’s a hell of a table. What’s the coin?” He rolled a silver coin over his knuckles.
			“It’s a tip. You’re Lucky, right? Keep that coin on you at all times.”
			A warm sensation filled Lucky’s head, and without knowing why, he turned and walked into the back of the bar.
			Wrecker and Reggy felt the same wave of warmth—recognizing it as supernatural but uncertain of the source.
			The man said, “Wrecker. Reggy. Such an interesting pair. Here—keep these coins on you. With my gratitude for helping Gadget. It’s been invaluable.”
			Reggy held the pair of silver coins in his hand. “Ah… okay. Who are you?”
			“Just a friend of Gadget’s. Call me Adrian. I’ll be around. I’ve loved the Stone Bench Group in some of the other shadows. Gadget seems to be steering them clear of the worst troubles. You two—were you the ones who eliminated the Blind Reapers?”
			Wrecker replied, “What do you mean? I deny it uncategorically. How would you know that?”
			Adrian finished his beer and leaned between them to pour another.
			“Oh dear. Haven’t you seen enough of the universe to know the answer is complicated? Give my regards to my brother Dalt. I hope to meet him one day.”
			Adrian turned and faded into the crowd, savoring the music. An ancient musician himself, he smiled as he caught Gadget’s eye—just for a moment. His goddaughter. The daughter of one of his lords.
			He thought to himself how well she had grown.


	==Cast of Characters==		==Cast of Characters==

Tolknor: /* Dalt Sniper */

2025-07-14T06:20:25Z

Dalt Sniper

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:20, 14 July 2025
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	==Dalt Sniper==		==Dalt Sniper==
	He looked down the sight at his target. It had been a long time since he had done this kind of wetwork but the skills were still there. It wasn't very ~~chivalric~~ but this guy had made his own bed and then shat it.		He looked down the sight at his target. It had been a long time since he had done this kind of wetwork but the skills were still there. It wasn't very chivalrous but this guy had made his own bed and then shat it.
	He followed the target around as he socialized. His stable of girls started filtering out. Anger raised in him. As the began being pawed over by Alverez's guests Dalt decided that Alverez wasn't going to go off alone.

	An ~~ahour~~ in he had seen enough. He picked up the burner phone he had picked up in the airport and called 911. He reported hearing gunshots.		He followed the target around as he socialized. His stable of girls started filtering out. Anger raised in him. As they began being pawed over by Alverez's guests Dalt decided that Alverez wasn't going to go off alone.

			An hour in he had seen enough. He picked up the burner phone he had picked up in the airport and called 911. He reported hearing gunshots.

	Five minutes later he saw police starting to arrive. “Better make this quick”		Five minutes later he saw police starting to arrive. “Better make this quick”
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	Dalt decided not to be as vindictive as Reggy wanted. One to the head each would do enough damage.		Dalt decided not to be as vindictive as Reggy wanted. One to the head each would do enough damage.

	Alvarez went down hard, flopping backward and breaking a very expensive bottle of Patron. Yellow shirt next, falling sideways leaving his girl to watch. Big ears took his in the ear but it was plenty splashy. Ugly ~~hat~~ guy took his in the nose. Fat Hawaiian ~~shirt~~ guy was slapping his girl and took his round under an ~~upraised~~ arm in the side, blasting explosively out he other side.		Alvarez went down hard, flopping backward and breaking a very expensive bottle of Patron.

			Yellow shirt next, falling sideways leaving his girl to watch.

			Big ears took his in the ear but it was plenty splashy.

			Ugly Hat guy took his in the nose.

			Fat Hawaiian Shirt guy was slapping his girl and took his round under an up raised arm in the side, blasting explosively out he other side.

			By then the party crowd knew the party was over and began to run inside.

			Number six almost made it indoors when his back erupted out his front.

	~~By then the party crowd knew the party was over and began to run inside. Number six almost made it indoors when his back erupted out his front.~~ Number seven poked his head up out of the pool one last time.		Number seven poked his head up out of the pool one last time.

	Three guards came out with fancy customized Ar-15s Dalt was sure they were proud of. They peppered the ~~hell~~ far below him. He didn't see any reason to kill them though they were probably guilty of sampling the merchandise. A shot to each of their knees would probably not be fatal but they would certainly not be running on two good legs anymore.		Three guards came out with fancy customized AR-15s Dalt was sure they were proud of. They peppered the hill far below him. He didn't see any reason to kill them though they were probably guilty of sampling the merchandise. A shot to each of their knees would probably not be fatal but they would certainly not be running on two good legs anymore.

	Putting another clip in ~~her~~ aimed past the mansion to slam shots into police cars. That was enough to freak them out enough. Time to go.		Putting another clip in he aimed past the mansion to slam shots into police cars. That was enough to freak them out enough. Time to go.

	He quickly policed his brass, out of reflex, and then withdrew a trump card.		He quickly policed his brass, out of reflex, and then withdrew a trump card.

Relmopator: /* Rafe's Mission */

2025-06-28T22:37:57Z

Rafe's Mission

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:37, 28 June 2025
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	As he left the pawn shop he saw the pair of Takers 'hiding' in a nearby alley. Rafe took note of them, but not outwardly, and continued on his route to the next pawnshop several blocks away. He made it obvious that he was alert and aware of his surroundings, and when he turned a corner he looked back the way he came... and saw the that two Takers were following him, as he expected, and that they had become four. Rafe was careful not to make eye contact with them, allowing them to think they had gone unseen. Another three blocks and another turn and the four Takers had closed the gap. Up ahead he saw two more Takers look past him, then quickly dart into an alley; the four had become six. Rafe smiled. A few years ago, if he had been in this situation, he would have been scared, maybe even panicked. He would have ran across the street or tried to find a cop, or tried to find some way to escape or find safety. But that was a lifetime ago. He turned into the alley and waited for the prey that thought they were predators to come to him.		As he left the pawn shop he saw the pair of Takers 'hiding' in a nearby alley. Rafe took note of them, but not outwardly, and continued on his route to the next pawnshop several blocks away. He made it obvious that he was alert and aware of his surroundings, and when he turned a corner he looked back the way he came... and saw the that two Takers were following him, as he expected, and that they had become four. Rafe was careful not to make eye contact with them, allowing them to think they had gone unseen. Another three blocks and another turn and the four Takers had closed the gap. Up ahead he saw two more Takers look past him, then quickly dart into an alley; the four had become six. Rafe smiled. A few years ago, if he had been in this situation, he would have been scared, maybe even panicked. He would have ran across the street or tried to find a cop, or tried to find some way to escape or find safety. But that was a lifetime ago. He turned into the alley and waited for the prey that thought they were predators to come to him.

			The alley was empty. Ahead on the right about fifty feet away was a dumpster, just beyond it a recessed doorway; Rafe knew they were waiting for him there. When he passed the dumpster the two Takers stepped out of the doorway to block Rafe's way. Both were boys in their late teens. One was tall, over six feet, lanky, with long arms. The other boy was about 5'8”, thick, but not fat.

			“Where you goin', old man?” the tall one asked Rafe. “This is our Territory. You gotta pay to travel here.”

			“Yeah, you gotta pay” the shorter one echoed.

			Rafe knew the four Takers following him would be entering the alley soon. He looked past the two blocking his way, to the other end of the alley; two more youths entered the alley from that end, and upon seeing Rafe, began moving quickly towards him. Rafe heard the other Takers enter the alley behind him. He knew this could get messy. Eight to one was never good odds. But he had faced those odds before, in Agalat's Red Room when he fought to prove his worthiness to become a Dufiro. And those Orc-Lizards were way tougher than these punk-ass kids. Still, it could get messy.

			Rafe knew he could end them all in an instant, if he so desired. He could Summon his .50cal Desert Eagle to hand and head-shot each of them before any of them could even draw a weapon. But that would be noisy and messy. He knew once they get in close he could end them all quickly and silently, with his Red Dagger; his time in the arenas and fighting pits of Ang Ri and his Movement Powers made him a lethal fighter at close quarters. But this option was also messy. And Rafe didn't really want to kill them, just teach them a lesson they would never forget.

			“I don't have any money” Rafe lied as he looked the tall boy in the eyes.

			“Why you lyin', old man?” Rafe heard a youthful voice taunt him from behind. Rafe turned to look, acting mildly surprised at the group of boys behind him.

			“We saw you at the pawn shop. We know you got money, old man. Hand it over and we let you go without a beating.” This from the boy Rafe had eyed down outside the pawn shop.

			Rafe acted like he was nervous, letting it show to the boys to give them a false sense of security. Still facing the four that had just entered the alley, Rafe moved to his right, their left, looking like he was trying to get past them and out the way he had come in; they spread out and move to block his escape. He back up as they moved in, he turned back to the two that had blocked his passage initially and made like he was trying to get past them; they backed up a bit and moved to block Rafe as the other two coming down the alley from the other end arrived, slightly winded; they moved to block Rafe as well. Rafe backed away a bit, he looked all around; he was surrounded. And they were closing in. Exactly as Rafe had wanted.

			“There's nowhere to go, old man.” One of the winded boys said.

			“Yeah. Nowhere to go.” The thick boy echoed, then laughed. “OLD man.”

			Rafe kept looking around at the faces of the boys, looking nervous, even a bit scared. He was waiting for them to close in a little bit more.... and they did.

			“You're trapped, old man” the youth from the pawn shop said. “Just hand over the ca—”

			Rafe channeled all of his Movement Powers into Speed, but was careful to control his Strength so as to not seriously harm or even kill these Normal Humans. His movements were all but a blur to the eyes of those viewing him. Rafe took a step forward and delivered a jab to the chin of the boy speaking; a perfect knockout punch. He dropped in his tracks, but not before Rafe had delivered a punch with his other hand to the temple of the boy to his left and a kick to the jaw of the boy to his right, knocking them out and off their feet as well. The others fell just as quickly from precisely delivered knockout punches and kicks, the last two falling from having their heads bashed together. It was all over in a matter of seconds. Rafe hadn't even broken a sweat... and it was already a rather humid day.

			Rafe checks each for a pulse and when he does he also enters their mind. He leaves a False Memory of their death at his hands and a Psychic Suggestion to 'change your life path'. He leaves the alley the way he came in and heads for the next pawn shop on his list.

			By mid afternoon, Rafe had unloaded a little over four pounds of gold ingots and had nearly one hundred thousand dollars in cash. More than enough for his needs. He headed to the last stop on his list; the pawn shop where Gadget had gotten her and Cali's new basses.

	(more to come)		(more to come)

Relmopator: /* Rafe's Mission */

2025-06-28T20:03:42Z

Rafe's Mission

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:03, 28 June 2025
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	They both laughed. Twenty minutes later Rafe had five grand in cash, mostly hundreds, and the proprietor had four, one ounce ingots of 99.99999% pure gold, getting the better end on the deal by far. But Rafe wasn't worried about the loss; he was on a mission to spread the wealth.		They both laughed. Twenty minutes later Rafe had five grand in cash, mostly hundreds, and the proprietor had four, one ounce ingots of 99.99999% pure gold, getting the better end on the deal by far. But Rafe wasn't worried about the loss; he was on a mission to spread the wealth.

	As he left the pawn shop he saw the pair of Takers 'hiding' in a nearby alley. Rafe took note of them, but not outwardly, and continued on his route to the next pawnshop several blocks away. He made it obvious that he was alert and aware of his surroundings, and when he turned a corner he looked back the way he came... and saw the that two Takers were following him, as he expected, and that they had become four. Rafe was careful not to make eye contact with them, allowing them to think they had gone unseen. Another three blocks and another turn and the four Takers had closed the gap. Up ahead he saw to more Takers look past him, then quickly dart into an alley; the four had become six. Rafe smiled. A few years ago, if he had been in this situation, he would have been ~~very concerned~~, ~~perhaps~~ even ~~scared~~. He would have ran across the street or tried to find a cop, or find some way to escape or find safety. But that was a lifetime ago. He turned into an alley and waited for the prey that thought they were predators to come to him.		As he left the pawn shop he saw the pair of Takers 'hiding' in a nearby alley. Rafe took note of them, but not outwardly, and continued on his route to the next pawnshop several blocks away. He made it obvious that he was alert and aware of his surroundings, and when he turned a corner he looked back the way he came... and saw the that two Takers were following him, as he expected, and that they had become four. Rafe was careful not to make eye contact with them, allowing them to think they had gone unseen. Another three blocks and another turn and the four Takers had closed the gap. Up ahead he saw two more Takers look past him, then quickly dart into an alley; the four had become six. Rafe smiled. A few years ago, if he had been in this situation, he would have been scared, maybe even panicked. He would have ran across the street or tried to find a cop, or tried to find some way to escape or find safety. But that was a lifetime ago. He turned into the alley and waited for the prey that thought they were predators to come to him.

Relmopator: /* Rafe's Mission */

2025-06-28T08:23:02Z

Rafe's Mission

@@ Line 1,979: / Line 1,979: @@
 As he left the Ugly Ferret he waved goodbye to Lucky then donned a green baseball cap instead of pulling up the hood of his field jacket as he did before. His posture was now upright instead of slumped. His gait was now quick and purposeful, instead of slow and seemingly aimless with a limp.
 He was looking around and making eye contact to show that he was fully aware of his surroundings, instead of looking down and avoiding eye contact. Though he still looked like a dirty, homeless, late middle aged man, he also looked more confident, aware and possibly dangerous; someone to avoid.
 (more to come)

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:29, 5 August 2025
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	The night was going well. Midnight had passed, and no one had been thrown out.		The night was going well. Midnight had passed, and no one had been thrown out.

	The Ugly Ferret was gaining a very different reputation since Gadget brought the Stone Bench Group to perform. The small stage had been expanded, and better lighting installed. Eddie, on lead guitar, and his girl Tiffy, on violin and piano, led the group. Holden, a tall, quiet youth, handled rhythm guitar. Jax, the hyperactive Black drummer, laid down a righteous beat that kept things moving.		The Ugly Ferret was gaining a very different reputation since Gadget brought the Stone Bench Group to perform. The small stage had been expanded, and better lighting installed. Eddie, on lead guitar, and his girl Tiffy, on violin and piano, led the group. Holden, a tall, quiet youth, handled rhythm guitar. Jax, the hyperactive Black drummer, laid down a righteous beat that kept things moving.

	Cali had started to attract her own following—drawn in by her legendary refusal to face the crowd while playing and her near-total silence offstage. She and Jax mostly kept to themselves. But Cali played a powerful four-string bassline, while Gadget led a heavier six-string bass with her resin-cast bass guitar.		Cali had started to attract her own following—drawn in by her legendary refusal to face the crowd while playing and her near-total silence offstage. She and Jax mostly kept to themselves. But Cali played a powerful four-string bassline, while Gadget led a heavier six-string bass with her resin-cast bass guitar.

	Behind the scenes, Waldo—the group’s massive chief roadie—moved a pair of guitars over to Cali and Gadget’s side of the stage in preparation for the upcoming Devo cover.		Behind the scenes, Waldo—the group’s massive chief roadie—moved a pair of guitars over to Cali and Gadget’s side of the stage in preparation for the upcoming Devo cover.

	Saturday nights at the Ugly Ferret had become enough to keep the band fed without needing to spend the week busking. That meant more time to write songs, relax, drink—and do other things that maybe weren’t so good for them. Still, they managed to hit the stage each week to the roar of growing dive-bar crowds.		Saturday nights at the Ugly Ferret had become enough to keep the band fed without needing to spend the week busking. That meant more time to write songs, relax, drink—and do other things that maybe weren’t so good for them. Still, they managed to hit the stage each week to the roar of growing dive-bar crowds.

	Lucky couldn’t believe how much his life had changed. The Blind Reapers were gone, never to return, and with their absence came freedom from the daily fear that the biker gang would kill him—or any random walk-in—just to make a point.		Lucky couldn’t believe how much his life had changed. The Blind Reapers were gone, never to return, and with their absence came freedom from the daily fear that the biker gang would kill him—or any random walk-in—just to make a point.
	Wrecker, a middle-aged man with a history as a truck driver, punk rocker, band roadie, and sometime knee-breaker, sat at the bar alongside his partner Reggy, a disgraced ex-police detective turned muscle and roadie. They listened to the surf-punk sound of the Stone Bench Group with Lucky.		Wrecker, a middle-aged man with a history as a truck driver, punk rocker, band roadie, and sometime knee-breaker, sat at the bar alongside his partner Reggy, a disgraced ex-police detective turned muscle and roadie. They listened to the surf-punk sound of the Stone Bench Group with Lucky.

	Reggy said to Wrecker and Lucky, “They’re really building their sound. Hard to believe how much I’m growing to like their style. I’d have lost a bet about it six months ago.”		Reggy said to Wrecker and Lucky, “They’re really building their sound. Hard to believe how much I’m growing to like their style. I’d have lost a bet about it six months ago.”

	Lucky added, “Six months ago, I woke up every morning dreading the day. I keep hoping the Blind Reapers don’t come back and try to take the place over again.”		Lucky added, “Six months ago, I woke up every morning dreading the day. I keep hoping the Blind Reapers don’t come back and try to take the place over again.”

	“They won’t,” Wrecker said flatly.		“They won’t,” Wrecker said flatly.

	Reggy nodded. “And like I said before, if they do come back—it’s okay. We know some necromancers.”		Reggy nodded. “And like I said before, if they do come back—it’s okay. We know some necromancers.”

	Wrecker chuckled as Lucky shook his head, not sure why Wrecker found that funny.		Wrecker chuckled as Lucky shook his head, not sure why Wrecker found that funny.
	“Not much rough trade tonight,” Lucky said. “The Sixth Street boys must have found someplace else to go.”		“Not much rough trade tonight,” Lucky said. “The Sixth Street boys must have found someplace else to go.”

	The night wore on. At 2 a.m., the band moved into their final set and two encores.		The night wore on. At 2 a.m., the band moved into their final set and two encores.

	A tall man entered quietly and slipped up to the bar. He had long blond hair braided down his back, colorful beads woven into the strands. Dressed in blue jeans and a jacket held together with patches from around the world, he looked almost gentle despite his height. He ordered a draft beer and listened for a while.		A tall man entered quietly and slipped up to the bar. He had long blond hair braided down his back, colorful beads woven into the strands. Dressed in blue jeans and a jacket held together with patches from around the world, he looked almost gentle despite his height. He ordered a draft beer and listened for a while.

	After a few songs, he walked over to the trio and stood before them, smiling.		After a few songs, he walked over to the trio and stood before them, smiling.

	Reggy asked, “Something on your mind, buddy?”		Reggy asked, “Something on your mind, buddy?”

	The man leaned over and handed a folded bundle of bills to Lucky. “Can I set up a tab?”		The man leaned over and handed a folded bundle of bills to Lucky. “Can I set up a tab?”
	Lucky glanced at the wad. “Hell yeah. There’s two grand here. That’s a hell of a ~~table~~. What’s the coin?” He rolled a silver coin over his knuckles.
			Lucky glanced at the wad. “Hell yeah. There’s two grand here. That’s a hell of a tab. What’s the coin?” He rolled a silver coin over his knuckles.

	“It’s a tip. You’re Lucky, right? Keep that coin on you at all times.”		“It’s a tip. You’re Lucky, right? Keep that coin on you at all times.”

	A warm sensation filled Lucky’s head, and without knowing why, he turned and walked into the back of the bar.		A warm sensation filled Lucky’s head, and without knowing why, he turned and walked into the back of the bar.

	Wrecker and Reggy felt the same wave of warmth—recognizing it as supernatural but uncertain of the source.		Wrecker and Reggy felt the same wave of warmth—recognizing it as supernatural but uncertain of the source.

	The man said, “Wrecker. Reggy. Such an interesting pair. Here—keep these coins on you. With my gratitude for helping Gadget. It’s been invaluable.”		The man said, “Wrecker. Reggy. Such an interesting pair. Here—keep these coins on you. With my gratitude for helping Gadget. It’s been invaluable.”

	Reggy held the pair of silver coins in his hand. “Ah… okay. Who are you?”		Reggy held the pair of silver coins in his hand. “Ah… okay. Who are you?”

	“Just a friend of Gadget’s. Call me Adrian. I’ll be around. I’ve loved the Stone Bench Group in some of the other shadows. Gadget seems to be steering them clear of the worst troubles. You two—were you the ones who eliminated the Blind Reapers?”		“Just a friend of Gadget’s. Call me Adrian. I’ll be around. I’ve loved the Stone Bench Group in some of the other shadows. Gadget seems to be steering them clear of the worst troubles. You two—were you the ones who eliminated the Blind Reapers?”

	Wrecker replied, “What do you mean? I deny it uncategorically. How would you know that?”		Wrecker replied, “What do you mean? I deny it uncategorically. How would you know that?”

	Adrian finished his beer and leaned between them to pour another.		Adrian finished his beer and leaned between them to pour another.

	“Oh dear. Haven’t you seen enough of the universe to know the answer is complicated? Give my regards to my brother Dalt. I hope to meet him one day.”		“Oh dear. Haven’t you seen enough of the universe to know the answer is complicated? Give my regards to my brother Dalt. I hope to meet him one day.”

	Adrian turned and faded into the crowd, savoring the music. An ancient musician himself, he smiled as he caught Gadget’s eye—just for a moment. His goddaughter. The daughter of one of his lords.		Adrian turned and faded into the crowd, savoring the music. An ancient musician himself, he smiled as he caught Gadget’s eye—just for a moment. His goddaughter. The daughter of one of his lords.
	~~He thought to himself how well she had grown.~~

			He thought to himself how well she had grown.

	==Cast of Characters==		==Cast of Characters==