Another World Fades Away Leaving Dust in Its Darkness

Jul 07, 2008 23:01

Silk Road
Night, Wednesday 1 July

More protesters than usual today. They are growing in number and courage. Large groups make people more apt to acting like fools. Our three who live elsewhere in Excolo, Alana, Carmelo, and Adonis, have started arriving earlier and earlier. They hope to avoid the stares, the taunts, the crowd, in general. But the actions the protesters are now taking are getting worse. Today, they frenzied themselves up enough for someone to throw a rock. It struck me above the right eye, gashing my forehead, cutting slantwise across my eyebrow. I left the rock laying on the porch, blood pouring down my face and pulled Tempest. Aiming her at the crowd, I sneered at the gathered crowd. They ducked and scattered, leaving the Boy for the day. Karina wanted to call for Lucien, but I refused and cleaned it the best I could. It might scar, but I don't particularly care. Better a scar than engulfed in otherworldly flames.

Thankfully none of the clients stepped out of line today. Everyone seemed tense, though. Karina spent much of the day quiet at the desk. Miao seemed heavy-hearted for the brief moment I saw her and Alana was particularly eager towards me. The girl needs to get it that I'm not interested in her. Hell, I'm barely interested in sex at all right now. I'm certainly not going to give in to her.

I told Karina that I needed some time alone tonight after work. The building is nearly empty and the doors all locked. Walking out onto Silk Road, I pull a clove from the pack in the pocket of the trench coat and light it. The night is cool and damp from the scattered thunderstorms that have rolled over Excolo throughout the evening. The clouds are still thick overhead, ready to flash and piss rain down on me in an instant.

Breathing in the smoke deeply, I shut my eyes and turn my head into the breeze blowing past the buildings from the river. I can smell popcorn and cotton candy on the wind and hear the faint sounds of the Carnival. It feels like a lifetime ago that I took Verdandi to the Faire, accompanied by the woman whose bed and love I now share and her date of the night, Valmont. I long for those times, for those nights that seemed to have been so much simpler. Specifically, I miss the nights with Karina, before combustible doctors, healer-women, and face-changing rapists.

The exhaled smoke curls up in a bluish line against the night. I consider entering the Tavern, maybe to drink myself to forgetfulness, maybe it will keep the dreams back. Shaking my head, a small smile crossing my face, I decide to walk instead.

[OPEN]

[CLOSED]

eris, maryk, jack

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