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Message: <blockquote data-quote="hafrogman" data-source="post: 4670265" data-attributes="member: 8858">[sblock=Gutwick]*slapslapslapslapslap*The sound of my bare feet on the stone floor resounded noisily as I run full speed for the craft district.  I dodged around people in my way, ducking and weaving, offering a continual blanket apology and ignoring the angry mutterings that followed in my wake."Sorry, sorry, excuse me, can't be late, sorry, oops, sorry!"I was still running so fast when I reached the shop that I nearly flew past the door, unable to stop.  I reached out a hand, grabbing the door jamb and using it to swing myself inside.  My feet scrabbled for purchase as I thrust myself through the doorway and I tried to right myself.  I allowed myself a single ragged breath before instantly standing straight and, feigning nonchalance I didn't feel, looking around the store.  Nobody.  Did I beat him here?  I quickly grabbed a broom and started sweeping industriously.  I'd hardly been at it for a few seconds when he spoke from behind me."You're late."I jumped in surprise, and dropped the broom with a clatter.  My head drooped.  I was caught.  I turned sheepishly, my best hangdog expression on my face, but the scowl on Hargin's face told me that it wasn't going to work this time.  I blanched slightly.  I liked working for the dwarven smith.  He was a better taskmaster than most, and the work was more interesting than the menial labor most of my kin are charged with.  Not that I was actually allowed to help in any of the forging, but running errands and assisting the smith was better than drudgery.  He seemed to hold goblins in a better light than many dwarves.  He was even friendly on occasion, he'd given me a simple blade on my naming day.  Nothing fancy, but a real sword.  Just like I'd always dreamed of having as a youngling.  I'd listen to the tales of the Goblin Queen and dream of being a hero in her service."I'm sorry, Master Hargin, I was just. . ."He cut me off, still scowling."You were just daydreaming again.  Damn it boy, you know I'm supposed to report you to the truant guards.  Now I don't want to lose my assistant, and you don't want to end up in their bad books.  Nobody's happy about what happened with the last exile.  The gods only know what they'll get it into their heads to do next time one of you damn fools gets caught."His scowl softened a little as he spoke.  He was probably more disappointed than angry, but it would still be best not to antagonize him further.  I ducked my head, retrieved my broom and got back to work as fast as was seemly.I tried to remain vigilant in my battle against dust, but my heart wasn't in it today.  Still, I kept up a steady effort, watching the people pass on the street outside to pass my time.  My heart skipped a beat when I saw her walking past.  She worked nearby in the district, at a tailor's shop.  I saw her every so often walking past on the street.  Of course I couldn't talk to her, but I'd managed to find out her name through subtle inquiry.  Jezra.  She was beautiful.  But if I ever wanted to have a shot at that kind of life, I had to do better, I had to be better.  Hargin liked me well enough, but that wasn't good enough to get me in with the Population Council.  I'd have to do something great for the city.I was still sighing to myself and gazing outside when I heard Hargin's voice from behind me for the second time that morning."Bah, you're useless this morning."He took the broom from my hands and handed me a duty stone."If you've time enough to stare into space, you have time enough to help with the harvest.  They're short of people today.  Come back here when your mind in back where it belongs."[/sblock]</blockquote>

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