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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Sparky" data-source="post: 1522548" data-attributes="member: 13681">Whistler nods at the swarthy dwarf's description. "Home is where you make it. And more important than the place are the people." His eyes flicker to where Brahnz chats amiably with Penny as she orders more drinks for the table.For the most part he sits quietly enjoying the bustle of the common room. Later, after several more rounds, he takes out his shawm, a curious reeded flute, and plays a sad, hollow tune. Spilling notes tug the heart. Loss. Longing. He rubs his forehead with a tired hand when he finishes and stands, sweeping up his hat. "Evening all. Ezra." And with that he disappears up the stairs.***********************************In the Night:Outside, in the dark, beyond the warmth and solace of Penny's place, a shadowed stranger with a predatory grin rides down the street.Whistler wakes suddenly ears straining for the sound of what woke him. Trouble. Tucking a wing and throwing off the thin blanket, he rolls off of the bed into a low crouch. A whisper and Smoke is drawn, gleaming deadly in the dim of the darkened room. He pauses, still as stone, listening. He takes a deep breath and rubs the back of his neck where chills raise fine hairs in hackles. The mangled feathers of his wings flare momentarily before tucking themselves somewhat neatly back into place.Dire possum on my grave.He sheaths the blade and stands to sit on the edge of his bed. He leans over, elbows on his knees, face in his hands. His wings curl protectively around him as he tiredly rubs his eyes. He sits like that for a long time.*********************************At Dawn:Whistler rounds up the crew at an obscene hour, knocking loudly on door of the room Tzzecct and Gabriel share. "Tzzect, Gabriel. Up and at 'em boys. We've got gear to sell, a town to explore. Work to do. Daylight's burnin'." He nods at rustling sounds within.He hesitates at Brahnz's door, fist balled to bang on the door. He knocks quietly, "Brahnz, Lupe`. Time to get up." He waits listening. "Brahnz?" He tries the door and finds it open. The room empty, the bed  neatly made, as if it hadn't even been used. "Brahnz..." he whispers. The whip-cord tightness of Whistler's posture slips and his shoulders sag. He clears his throat, eyes raking the room savagely as his back snaps back to attention. He turns on his heel, mail clinking, cloak and wings flaring. Several perfect, pure-white feathers float gently to the floor.***********************************In the Common Room Again:Whistler sweeps down the stairs into the warm common room. Yes. Breakfast. He spots Ezra sitting in the same spot as last evening. He sits and orders breakfast before turning a pointed look at Ezra. He grates,  "Ezra." It might be a greeting. The tall thin gray elf leans back, chair creaking, "You here all night?"A bowl of steaming cereal soon arrives with a tray -  thick, black molasses, dark butter and various dried fruits. And a small copper kettle full of a rich, roasty smelling coffee. Whistler pours a cup of the coffee and upends the small crock of molasses into his bowl. He looks up from the bowl at Ezra.Wonder if he's seen her...</blockquote>

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