Lone Wolf

'CRACK' slammed an arrow just above Livewire's head as he darted this way and that trying to lose his pursuers, the mob of Thugs weren't as easily shaken loose as he had wrongfully anticipated. A sharp twang followed by a piercing 'WHOOSH' as another arrow shot passed his head and buried itself into the fence just ahead of him. The fence! Taking a quick look over his shoulder he counted three of an earlier seven mercenaries, two with broadswords and one with a basic ashen short bow.

"Nowhere to run now! We gotcha trapped good!" they jeered in low drawn out tones. Feeling his legs turn to lead he was about to give up willingly when there was another twang, but this time the arrow landed home and sunk itself deep into Livewires left leg! Causing him to fall awkwardly in a heap enduring severe pain!

"You shoulda stopped back in the tavern, would'a made it easier on y'self. And the boy" chuckled the bow wielding goon. "Go'ta Hell" Livewire replied coldly, the pain clearly visible in his expression. Which he was shortly relived from as the other thug on the right slammed the butt of his sword down the back of Livewire's head with a sickly 'THUD'. Livewire hit the cobblestone alleyway floor hard.

Rolling his eyes up, he just caught a glimpse of the moon as it faded away taking with it, the pain, the voices...into darkness....

Karli did as she was told and lolly-gagged about her presence at the bar sullenly as the group strode past, keeping a keen ear on Livey's words.

"Ball in my court? I say we disperse," she replied without hesitation. "Fess would kill me if I left him to raise the kids alone..."

Hopping down off the stool, Karli checked herself over before cutting into the crowd. If she lost Live, she'd simply wait for him when she got outside.

Choosing their move, Karli made for the door with the rest of the taverns patrons.. Livewire however, kept his seat and took a swig of the single malt, never letting his eye stray from the entrance to the stairwell where the group had disappeared through.

You see, Livewire never intended of leaving the bar, he just wanted to make sure she was well out of the way incase things turned sour, besides Karli had nothing to do with this and Livewire thought it unfair to get her mixed up as well..

Brushing his shoulders down and finishing the last of the liquor, he decided to go down after them. He lowered his weight down from the stool and onto his injured leg to make sure he could make use of it. Only slightly throbbing, but not uncomfortable enough to handicap him in any way.

Satisfied that his leg would serve him well he stood with an even weight and rubbed his neck, catching a quick look at the tavern door which had been closed by a thoughtful customer no doubt.

'Karli must be waiting outside. I'll have to get this over with quickly so she doesn't get suspicious as to my late exit' he thought to himself as he made silent steps towards the stairwell opening, dagger in hand.

Standing at the top of the spiral stairwell he paused, just for a moment, why? He did not know. Maybe it was the fact that he should have done this long ago or simply the fact he was about to take another life. Maybe Galentine could give him some answers. But the fact still remained true, he had Livewire's son and had to deliver… or perish…

"HE'S GONE!" cried a startled voice which instantly brought Livewire back to his senses!

"He's gotta be upstairs boss" responded a gruff voice.

"Mr. Specter. Your paid to kill, pacify, maim or whatever it is you do... not to think" retorted the first voice in a cold, but clearly sarcastic manor.. "So would you be so kind as to stop thinking and GET AFTER HIM!"

"Oh uh, yeah RIGHT BOSS!" the gruff voice replied having been given his orders, which was closely followed by the faint echo of footsteps, becoming louder... and louder..

Livewire knew exactly what he was going to do. He rolled to the side and pinned himself back against the wall, sliding the dagger's blade into his palm and waited poised..

The first of Galentine's henchmen hurtled straight out the opening, he made about 10 feet before Livewire struck, aiming the dagger he threw it just like Shadoweave had taught him! The hooded figure didn’t turn the corner at the bar and landed with a loud crash into the main feasting table, breaking it in two, with the dagger in the back of his skull.

Livewire gave a smug grin and was about to turn his efforts to disposing of the second figure when he was struck fiercely on the side of the head!

He toppled back with the momentum of the blow and fell over a neatly stacked set of chairs, landing awkwardly on his shoulders..

Karli walked away from the tavern a fair distance upon exiting, but kept the doors well in sight trying to identify Livewire among the dispersing crowd. It took a fair while, but slowly the flow of customers thinned down to a scant few, and she waited still.

Tapping her foot testily, Karli eyed the doors a few minutes longer before concluding Livewire still had to be inside. Unsheathing her dirk, she flipped it about and laid it flat against the long of her arm as she strode up to the tavern doors and hurriedly slipped inside before an employee could lock them.

Shaking the initial shock away, Livewire rolled backwards to his feet dodging a swipe with a broken bottle. Getting to his feet he rolled over the bar, narrowly missing a second one! Retaliating with the nearest thing at hand (a stool), Livewire blocked the thugs third lunge and knocked the bottle out of his hands!

"Your quick.. Not as I had anticipated" grinned the thug and wiped a speck of blood from the corner of his mouth. "Come on, I'll even put one hand behind my back" he taunted at him whilst slipping one hand out of sight..

Live wasn't born yesterday. After all his experience he wasn't nieve and saw straight through his oppressors plan.

Dropping from the table he met his attackers glare and rubbed his shoulder slightly, then saw how he could turn this to his advantage.

"I’m all yours" he replied with a sly smile and a sarcastic bow, catching sight of something move ever so slightly near the doorway.

The sounds of the scuffle came quicker to Karli's senses then the sights as she slipped inside, preparing for a fight. Grabbing up a mobile bottle as it twirled towards her borne from the area of conflict, she deftly employed it to hold the door slightly ajar so the sound of its shutting wouldn't prematurely alert anyone of her presence.

Keeping her line of sight on the conflict, Karli suddenly leaped high, carrying herself into flight to land gently in the rafters of the musty tavern before she was spotted. With an unearthly agility and a predatory step, she slid along the beams approaching the brawl from above.

Biding her time, waiting for a moment when Livey and his attacker had opportune space between them, Karli aimed to give Livewire the upper hand as she whistled shrilly from her spot in the above darkness.

Lifting his head, he caught sight of the same figure in the rafters, it seemed to be watching them below but wasn't posing a threat so Livewire focused on the Thug opposite him.

"Your move, Mr. Bladebane," the hooded man challenged, shuffling forward, ever so slightly shifting his weight onto the front foot.

"I would, but if I were you. I'd be more concerned about the person above your head, not the person in front of you" Livewire replied, aiming a quick wink to the last place he saw movement. He knew full well who it was, and was secretly glad Karli's curious nature had got the better of her this time.

"Why don't you give yourself up...?" The thug spoke calmly as he began tracing a circle, causing Livewire to mimic. "I will see to it you have a swift end… all the trouble you've caused us. I owe you that at least."

Livewire narrowed his eyes and was thinking what to do, when his ears picked up the faint, almost sub-sonic sound of a person taking a deep breath. His body tensing he froze on his original spot when a full 360 degree circle was made.

The next few seconds seemed to partake in slow motion. Just as Livewires body tensed there was a very high-pitched whistle. The thug took a split second look skywards in surprise, this was to prove fatal.

In one movement, Livewire crouched and as silent and graceful as a panther, he pounced, bringing the dagger out to his side. He flew a good ten feet across the room, sunk the dagger into the shoulder and broke the thugs neck, causing a sickening crack, he stood as the corpse fell in a heap on the spot. The whole maneuver took as few as three seconds to execute and left Livewire shaking with adrenaline as he stooped low to retrieve his dagger..

"Karli! This time we GOTTA move!" He called out as faint footsteps could be heard emanating from the stairwell. He looked up and waited on her, pulling his dirk free of its sheath... just in case.

"Door," was all Karli said with a hidden nod as she swiveled around and darted back down the rafters at what could have been considered a reckless pace.

Leaping as she neared the door, Karli touched down lightly before grabbing the edge of the door and kicking the bottle out of the way. Waiting for Livewire to pass outside, Karli tore out after him into the night.

The warmth of the tavern (if only slight) was swept aside by the chilly night air as the pair raced out the door and headed for the market square.

Putting all his abilities to the test, Livewire glided against the walls of the many important buildings and dodging the streetlights with ghostly paces. Not that he was being chased… he didn’t want to be followed to what he had come to called home, his last escape as it were..

The Market square was very silent and still, save for the occasional rat feasting on that which had been discarded by the merchants, whom had long gone home by this time.

Town guard was out in full as usual, they paced about doing their rounds with lit torches in one hand and their long swords in firmly clasped in the other.

He waited under a stone doors archway hidden perfectly so as not to be attacked as a result of the towns curfew. Livewire looked about his person, then scanned the square for any sign of Karli, but, being the talented thief she was… she could have been right under his nose and he most probably wouldn't know..

The very idea made him grin unexpectedly as he waited for the out of tune whistles to get out of earshot..

Slipping quietly from his position, Livewire darted off again but began to limp something fierce as the makeshift bandage around his leg began to loosen and let the blood flow freely again, no doubt creating a trial as easy to follow as a dog does his nose.

Gradually stopping and sitting against an alleyway wall he looked about and whispered, hoping Karli was within earshot..

"Go to the old museum, there’s a hatchway around the back of the roof next to the chimney stack. Go and wait for me inside there. I’ll be along soon."

Nodding to himself he set about the task of fixing up his leg again.

Karli heeded Livewire's words from her vantage point upon the roof. She had taken to the higher altitude some time ago and now used it to scan for trouble while keeping an eye on her brother. His words, heeded yes, but would she listen? Crow no.

Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me, she thought to herself not budging from her spot and neither laying her gaze directly on Livey incase he sensed he was being watched. Instead, she paid all her attention to his wound, watching and waiting for his next actions, seeing what he might be trying to "protect" her from.

Resting his head back against the wall, Livewire raised his gaze to the heavens. The night sky was a comforting sight. He had always loved lazing about on the roof, watching the sunset and then the dark sheet spread over the lands with its many stars, twinkling like diamonds.

That short moment took him back to when Shadoweave, Twitch, Alena and hiself would lay for what seemed eternities at a time just staring up and naming each other stars to keep.

"Those were the days..." he began to think back quietly in his own little portion of the alleyway, almost forgetting where he was.

His thoughts lead onto the times when he had just met Karli. Up until then he had never really known any sprite folk, but although a first race introduction is a heavy weight to carry. She carried it well for such a small person. The way they hit it off from the start... not many people had connected with him like that. But nonetheless he was sure glad she had come then and also now there are certain hugs and comfort a person needs that drink cannot deliver. She's always been there for him… in and out of Moorgate.

He then began to think of his son. He had begun to string full sentences together and had already become an excellent pickpocket.

Chuckling to himself he remembered how the vial of poison kept going missing during their journeys… Not to mention all the extra odds and ends he picked up which caught his big blue eyes when browsing the markets for supplies and rare finds.

Then his thoughts lead him to the time of Nate’s abduction. The supreme feelings of despair, anger and confusion quickly brought Livewire back to the real world. Draining the small wells of tears, he muttered an elven prayer and lifted himself from the ground with the aid of a stone window ledge and made his way, slowly, to the town museum, his home, where he hoped she would be waiting for him.

As she waited for Livewire to decide on his objectives, a daft wind crept across the rooftops, sending a chill down her spine as it tickled her neck. Shaking the chill off, she glanced about herself quickly before tugging her boots up tighter.

Her ears twitched as she heard noise from below, registering the sound as Livey's voice, but picking up no concern or panic within, she refrained from making herself known yet still. She waited for the slightest sounds of movements, wondering why he was tarrying so badly. When at last her reason for being there started on his way, she was quick to silently follow him from above.

It seemed he had had no ulterior motives as they approached a structure that could be nothing other then a museum. With her brother about to find his way in, Karli quickly glided across the gap between the building she was on and the museum's roof before dropping herself down one side stealthly.

Watching for broken windows or open doors, Karli spotted an opportunity for entry near the rear of the one side and quickly flew towards it, slipping her small frame inside and out of sight.

Slowly but surely Livewire made it to the roof of his afor said home. Just stealing a quick look back along the route he had taken before delicately pushing back the loose tiles and lowering himself down gently and closing the hatch afterwards.

The makeshift room was nothing spectacular but he had made it as comfortable and 'homelike' as one possibly could. Most of the items were stolen out right, he was a thief after all…

There were soft fluffy cushions and thick rugs which made up the sleeping area. A small box or two with his guild tool bag and a small candle placed on top. Also various other trinkets, chests, valuable items, parchments, scrolls and artifacts he had collected along his travels.

One being the gold ornate amulet which had caused him more trouble than enough. He had also acquired silk garments and robes and a whole wealth of precious gems and gold, which twinkled and gave a miniature skyline among the wooden rafters.

It was also noticeably warm to as one of the rooms 'walls' was the chimney stack and radiated heat keeping the room at a comfortable temperature, even in this exceptionally cold time of year!

Rubbing his eyes as they adjusted to the sudden light of the orphan candle he rummaged about close to the box and pulled out a number of tattered rags, which he proceeded to fill out the gaps of the hatch with, consequently cutting the draft.

As his vision returned he saw that Karli had already made it safely here. A slight grin escaped his lips and he gave a quick sigh, thankful she had made it.

"Welcome to my humble abode" He said with a sarcastic tone of slight elegance as he removed his boots and claimed a spot on the soft sleeping area. "Make yourself at home" He smiled towards her and reached for some clean bandaging and a small glass jar containing a medicinal paste with which he proceeded to properly aid his wound.

Karli gave Livewire a wordless wink as she smiled and tossed herself down onto a few of the cushions, she seemed quite intent on getting comfortable as she wriggled herself about to better define her spot. When her dirk rudely dug into her hip, Karli quietly removed it, tucking the sheathed weapon under her leg.

"This looks like Opie's old room," she smirked, fluffing up the unoccupied pillows closest to her. "'cept he didn't feel the need for much else past the pillows and cushions," she remarked, scanning the collection of goods with an appraising eye.

In her undying quest to get as comfortable as possible, Karli removed her cloak, struggling to obtain her objective without the need to stand fully up. With the cloak gone, she ruffled her wings against each other to remove any stray fragments of dust or dirt before lying back again.

"So what next? Where to… and what happened that's brought us up to this point?" she asked casually, commencing in her common routine of wing upkeep.

"Cuz all this seems pretty messed up and all, but that's just my observation," she added, smoothing out a tiny tear in one of her wings before carefully inspecting the damage.

Removing his equipment and arms he sat on the soft rugs gingerly so as not to disturb his leg. He hung his sheathed Dagger and Dirk on a bent nail, and placed his poison vial in his small pack which he proceeded to toss towards the far end of the room, out of the way.

Livewire then leaned over slightly to get himself with reach of a small bag, tied at the top with a crimson ribbon which was perched on one of the chests to his not so immediate left.

"You must be hungry" he solemnly guessed as he looked at her out the corner of his eye whilst untying the ribbon and acquiring an apple before handing the bag to Karli.

"Here, you best eat something, its not much I know, but I got little in the way of edibles until market day tomorrow" A thoughtful frown formed along his brow as he looked about making a silent list of the items he would need to acquire..

"We should get some rest, Plenty of time to catch up tomorrow while we shop" he chuckled giving her a cuddle and resting his head back on one of the velvet satin pillows, pulling the tapestry which was at his legs, up to his waist and leaving more than enough length for Karli to curl-up under, when she had finished pruning her wings.. "What a time to meet up eh?" he grinned and yawned in one fail swoop as he rested his weary eyelids.

"Nah, I recall a worse time," she smirked, pausing in her cleaning routine to peer into the bag before choosing a small something to munch on. "Timberwood, followed by Back Alley, one hundred and sixty-five. Just me, yerself and that damnedable crowbar," she teased, silently removing her gear.

With her list of things to do before bed complete, Karli leapt on Livewire with an evil laugh, rubbing noses with him before rolling away to claim her portion of the covers. It wouldn't take the flight exhausted sprite long to drift off. With dirk close at hand, she stretched and yawned, not caring what the future brought so long as the present brought sleep.

New Days and New Beginnings

The town was still asleep save for the usual bustle of the morning traders going about their daily rituals of setting up their stalls and flea markets in the square.

Livewire was already awake, in fact he had been up a fair while and thought it best to leave his dear companion in the land of Nod and warmth of the 'den', while he sat on the rooftop, resting on his bent legs and holding a cigarette. It was usual for him to be awake at this hour. It had been the same since he left Moorgate, with the guild to watch your back as you sleep.

It was by no means warm out at this time of morning, but he was quite comfortable just sat there. Ever since he was a child he loved the crisp feeling of early morning, your senses still coming to grips and your mind racing to keep up with the atmospheric sensations tingling at your skin.

Bringing the now tiny cigarette to his lips he took a lungful of the rich tobacco, before pausing and exhaling slowly, then flicking the rest from the roof and laying back on the tiles, waiting for the first signs of a waking sprite, on a perfect, crisp, early morning..

"Half... an hour?" Karli griped, tensing up as Livey released her then cuddled up closer to leech some warmth. Unwilling to surrender her arms to the chill morning from beneath her cloak, Karli buried her face in Livey's stomach, rubbing her face against his jacket repeatedly until it wasn't quite clear if she was simply functioning half waking or if the itch she suffered from was eternal.

Noticing how cold she was becoming already he thought to himself. "Tell ya what. Why don't I grab breakfast, and you get back in there where its warm and ya can grab another half an hours sleep."

"What ya fancy, or should I say how hungry are yas?" Livewire grinned and gave her a gentle shake to grab her attention.

Peering up at Livey slowly, Karli shivered.

"I could eat a giant," she replied, resting her entire self against Livewire and looking about to doze off again.

"That’s settled then" He nodded as he picked her up and carried her back across the roof..

"It’s far to early for you to be THHINKING about waking up anyway," he added as he lifted the hatch with his foot and dropped down as graceful as a cat.

He set Karli down on the plush bedding area and give her nose a quick flick before tossing a large portion of quilt over her body and set her head on a big, warm cushion which had been leaning against the chimney wall.

"I’ll get us some breakfast and few buckets of fresh water, you just get some sleep, you look like you've been awake all night, fighting those giants ya wanna eat so much"

Taking one last look about the place making sure she would be safe while he was gone. Satisfied with himself he picked up his dagger and slotted it into his boot, then grabbed a handfull of cold pieces and slipped out as he stuffed them into his pocket and closed the hatch behind him!

Asleep before Livey even laid her down, Karli adjusted her wings subconsciously to avoid crushing them, not registering Livewire's final words or departure.

The town had gradually bustled to life as Livey emerged once again from the den. He took a swift look about the general area around him, then traversed the 20ft drop from the rooftop by means of a rope he had tied. Fully utilizing his guild-bought leather gloves he slid easily down and dropped the last 6 or so feet.

Knowing it would be wise to get far from the museum as possible before seen by anyone, he shot down the backstreets with the stealth of a stoat and speed of a cheetah! His injury had fully healed and his leg was serving him well, proving this as he effortlessly vaulted a low fence, near the square, and crouched behind it, making sure he hadn't been followed.

Satisfied that all was clear... Livewire stood up, dusted off and headed the short distance to the market to pick up the supplies he needed.

The morning market bought the square to life. There were many stalls and tents offering anything you could imagine, whether it be a simple apple or an elixir of true romance… you could get it here!

Located in the center area of the square were performers and illusionists, accompanied by a group of bards which regularly travel about to earn a few coins and a smile or two.

But as usual it was drifting in a sea of bustling town folk eager to score the best deals and freshest goods, which made it a pickpockets paradise and you had to be careful not to return penniless... and without goods to show for it.

With a carefree pace and a watchful eye Livewire opted for the quieter stalls and wandered about buying the various items he recalled as best he could that he needed. A sack of assorted fruits and another of vegetables, a fresh bathing cloth and small bar of soap for Karli, some nice cuts of cooked and spiced chicken, 4 round loafs of bread, a box of lucifers, various cheeses, 2 bottles of milk and finally a large sheepskin water container.

His shopping completed, Livewire strolled over to the large fountain to the right of the market and sat himself on the marble rim, removed his pack and set it on the ground. He untied the top, placed all but the water-bag inside and securely buckled it up again. He then stood up and slipped it onto his back and deftly pulled the cork from the containers neck, proceeding to fill it with the fresh water in the fountain.

The container bobbed and floated about for a bit as it started to fill, then sank to the bottom with a low gurgling.. Almost feeling the suns reflection dancing on his face Livey cupped his hands and took a refreshing sip, then dunked his whole head in and remerged with the now full water-bag which he sealed with the cork and slipped over his sodden shoulder made wet as he shook his head vigorously like a dog out of a lake.

Almost forgetting the time, Livey began to make a subtle exit from the square among a large crowd of fleeting visitors and made his way back via an alternative route than he had come from. After all he had been gone the best part of an hour and he didn't want Karli to wake up and find him seemingly upsticks and left...

A thoughtful frown spread across his expression and he increased his pace to an all out run, hoping to return before she woke..

Karli slept the sleep of one who rarely ever escapes the constant nattering and horseplay of toddlers and children, her usual wake triggers back home in Moorgate more then likely jumping on a slumbering Festa for their morning meal. Without the kids at her heels it was just as difficult to fall asleep as it was to wake afterwards, the majority of her night spent waking to wonder if she forgot something.

Karli had barely moved by the time Livewire made his return.

The added weight of his purchases made traversing the rope up to the roof again a harder task than first thought..

It took him 3 attempts to reach the iron guttering which he use to haul hiself up with. His last 2 attempts cut short by having to decend again after dropping the waterbag which was balances precariously on his shoulder.

It was beginning to warm up as the sun was now in full view and although masked by some whisps of cloud, it still seemed to bring a smile to Livewires face as he lifted the hatch back, dropped his pack and the water container down gently by the straps, then lowered himself inside too. He left the hatch open deliberately to let fresh air circulate and keep the occupants cool.

Livey gave a wholehearted yawn and stretched off his limbs as before sitting down against some rather large cushions and began to organize breakfast and some washing facilities. He set the fresh bread and cheese on the makeshift table on a clean cloth and also unpacked the chicken pieces and the milk which he placed next to them. The fruit and vegetables remained in their sacks and lay seemingly comfortable against the crate and within easy reach.

Finally, he thought for a moment as he rummaged about behind a chest pulling aside much of the junk which lay there. Eventually his hand hit an object with gave a dull clang and rattled slightly.

"I really gotta clean this place up.." he thought to himself as he pulled the stubborn bucket free and placed it next to where Karli was sleeping. He unpacked the soap and bathing cloth and set them aside too then with began to fill the bucket up with much of the fresh water that he had collected.

The whole place looked tidy enough, after all it wasn't often, if ever that he had visitors. It didn't matter to him though. Nate was all the company he wanted, despite the crying and mauling caused by a child’s instinctive want for its mother, they got along famously.

He shed a small tear of anger and regret as he sat and waited for Karli to wake. It had been at least a couple of weeks since they last saw each other and there wasn't a day that went by without Livewire thinking of him.

Nate had been taken from him in the dead of night as an act of cowardly revenge by the local kingpin after Livey had unwaringly broken into his manor and stole valuable items and possessions amounting to a considerable sum, most of which lay in the den around him.

When he first arrived he was getting by doing the odd housebreak here or debt collecting work there. It was a hard existence but it paid well, providing you were working for the right people.

The days turned to weeks, and the weeks to month and so forth, during which livewire was making a tidy sum for the wellbeing of himself and his son.

It was just after Nate’s 9th birthday.. Livewire had left him worn out and fast asleep in their room at the local inn after they had spent a day playing together. It was that day that Livey felt that Nate was old enough and had enough experience to handle his very own Blade, which is what he gave his son. It was a beautiful ornate small dagger, just big enough for a child’s hand and not to heavy either, which a black sheath, it was perfect and Nate loved it to bits.

During the night Livey had set out on his biggest job in a long while. He was to steal a golden sword and magi-staff from the biggest house in the town. Unfortunately for him.. the biggest house in the town was owned by the most dangerous group of people in the town, who were headed by a the most dangerous man in the province!

After much scouting around the place he had found what he had been looking for and quickly made his exit as swiftly and silently as his entrance was.. but something about the place was odd to him... like the fact it was completely empty of occupants at midnight. It didn’t deter him though, just made it a hell of a lot easier..

Very pleased with himself Livewire darted back with all speed to the inn and slipped trough the bedside window. Nate was still fast asleep and cradling his dagger like a teddy bear.

But, the whole job he had done that night had been an orchestrated setup, he hadn't been alone in that house and he was followed back to the inn by a number of thugs, who easily and with just as much care and attention as Livewire himself kidnapped his very own son from under his nose... they left the items he took as evidence against Livewire if they so needed it..

Ever since then Nate has been kept in the manor under heavy guard, day and night, making it impossible to rescue him.

Livewire missed him so much but has been kept away by the fact that any sighting of him on the manor grounds would mean a swift end to the poor child, and he couldn't let that happen!

He WOULD rescue him! One way or another... This he vowed to himself every day and even now as he began to slice the chicken up slowly, waiting on Karli to stir to the homely smell of the freshly baked bread.

Karli woke with a start and a yell, tangling herself in the cover as she grabbed her dirk from its sheath wrapped around her arm. Still half waking, she went to draw the weapon as she spun about but lost her grip on the damn thing sending it sailing into the air above her.

With a sudden shout and a lot of realization, she glanced up before rolling onto her stomach and springing away from her bed as the dirk came soaring back to the earth. A short scream and few choice filthy words as the dirk embedded itself in the floor and Karli glanced about the room somewhat unsure of herself as though failing to recognize her surroundings.

Rubbing her face vigorously as she released a long winded 'args', letting herself collapse onto the floor in a sitting position before messing her hair up and giving Livey a short greeting.

Livey nearly jumped out of his skin as Karli leaped from the bed. He dropped his knife and hit his head on a wooden beam just above where he was sat.

"Ooooooooooooooooow!" He complained fiercely along with a few more selected phrases as he shut his eyes tight began to cradle the small lump which had already begun to form on the back of his head..

The pan was only subsidiary and passed within moments but that lump wasn't going anywhere! He lifted his head slightly and opened his eyes a touch, the room spun madly and made him nauseous very quickly, it also caused him to wobble about on the spot, which didn't help matters.

Closing his eyes again quickly and grabbing the boxes edge to get at least some co-ordination back, he shook his head vigorously, then stopped to take a few deep breaths..

"Before we go any further… that isn't going to be a common occurrence is it?" Livey asked her in his almost drunken appearance. He felt like he'd been out on a nights worth of alcohol and no supper.

It took about a minute for the room to grind to a halt and he dared let go of his support, but it seemed like forever. He then looked at Karli and couldn't help but burst into laughter!

"Morning to you too!" he jeered throwing his arms out to the side of him and grinning from ear to ear!

Nightmares," she shuddered, crawling over to Livey before standing and returning his offered embrace.

With her morning abruptly started, Karli finally took a moment to glance around the room at the various things brought back with Livewire as she retrieved her dirk sluggishly.

Livewire frowned for a moment to wonder what could have been troubling her. But this soon changed to a warm smile as he gave her a hug and then splashed her face with a handful of the water.

"Well I didn't know what you usually have in a morning so I got a bit of everything. We don't usually get many visitors, but just treat the place as your own" He explained as he waved his hand about him.

"Eat up! There’s some water over there for ya to get freshened up with and some soaps of sorts too."

Karli's head immediately snapped back and her eyes squeezed shut tight as she was hit in the face with the water, but made no sound as she smirked before reaching out to grab Livey's shirt and dry her face off. Blowing him a lazy raspberry, she opened her eyes slowly and looked about again.

"What do I eat..?" she inquired as though asking herself. "Sugar... stuff... fruit and things," she replied while yawning. Dropping to her knees, Karli shuffled over to the bucket and dunked her head, raising her sopping self out of the drink slowly to prevent her hair from dripping all over the place.

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