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Message: <blockquote data-quote="megamania" data-source="post: 807256" data-attributes="member: 9255">UNDER A DARKSUNSEGMENT 041“The Villa”Mania awoke to the sound of a desert swift.  The strange bird peeped and piped loudly until he rolled out of his bed.  He looked across the spacious room and shook his head in disbelief.  He spent the night in a luxurious noble’s country villa located along the hot springs outside of Nibenay’s walls.  After his leg was healed and massaged, he and Keela rode out to it on her family kanks.  The insectiod creatures make a long walk into a swift short ride filled with laughter and joy.That was then.   This is now.Keela was born a noble.  As such, her family controlled sections of the water and the riches it could bring.  The villa was large and two stories tall.  Water fountains were in many rooms both to display the family’s power and riches and for release of pressure underground.  One water cleric that worked for the family believed that if the pressure was not relieved by these many small fountains, an explosive water geyser could blow taking much of the noble’s house and lands with it.  The water fountains were sculpted to resemble many fairy-tale creatures, many doing obscene things to each other.  The entire house spoke of hedonism.  That was when Mania went from having a grand to time to feeling guilty.So few have access to any water, especially clean water.  The nobles here flaunted it for decoration and symbols of power.  The clerics working for them were caught up in the glory of money and comfort as much as the enrichment of their chosen element of worship.  He thought about Greene and his vision.  Was it a vision or a dream of fancy?  Did it matter?  It defined Greene in many ways.  His daughter also.  What did he believe in?Answer- a good time with a beautiful rich spoiled girl.Mania was about to leave when a ½ elf boy knocked on his door and entered once summoned in.  The boy’s name was Roturi.  He was a slave.  Based on the scars visible on his arms and legs, he was a poorly treated slave.  This bothered Mania also.  He fought so hard for his own freedom.  What of others?  Not everyone gets a second chance like him.  Slavery.  The very word was beginning to give him a bad taste in his mouth.  “Sir, I have fresh fruits and cooled fruit water if you so wish.”  The boy said bowing.Mania, being a clown even when being so self- introspective, looks behind himself then back at the boy.  “Sir..?  I thought for a moment my father was here.”  He gives the boy a smile when the child becomes nervous at the unexpected joke.  “What would you recommend?”“me!…..ah.. sir I do not drink the family water.  I would not know.  Lady Keela’s favorite is the yellow one however.”“I am Mania.  No need to call me a sir.  I am no noble or special person.  I am…a guest.”The boy can not help himself.   He smiles a bit at the genuine humor and friendship Mania offers him.  He smiles once more then leaves Mania to the four colored fluids and fresh fruit.Later, Mania walks down to the courtyard were Keela is looking at a scroll with unknown writing and symbols on it.  Mania gives her a peck on her forehead and sits across the table from her.  Waiting for her to look at him he finally calls to her attention.  “Keela…why did you free me?”She stops her studies and looks at him.  Briefly she looks annoyed but recovers incredibly quickly.  “I help friends.  Especially close friends.” She pauses to gage his emotions.  “Could you get me some more lemon water?  I’m just lost without Roturi being here.”“Sure, but I thought Roturi was here?”“No, he is in the city with father.”Mania stops dead in his tracks.Nearby, sitting on a stone sculpture of a ½ man goat creature, a blackbird watches the couple.  Watching…and watching…</blockquote>

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