The Cracked Flagon

[Golan]

Golan asked a question just as she slid in the first stitch, so Noah had something to think about other than the pain. When you read the ellipses, that's when Golan is putting in a stitch.

"So, I didn't know that you could get a Shadowtwin ... except for being born with one. What do you know about those ... crystals?"

[Noah]

Noah winces at the pain as she stitches him up "I don't know much about it, but I know why it is there... There are three large crystals on my chest that are black and purple, and that evil man had it put in me after the shipwreck... He thought the crystals contained the soul of his son. He thought I had.. died. But I didn't, and his son was not there, only V was there. The man did not like that. He made me dye my hair black like his son.. and other things. So V now protects me, from anyone or anything that wants to hurt us. V probably knows more, but he does not like to talk about his past." V shakes his shadow head as if to say 'I am not talking'.

[Golan]

"Aha. Well, Soul containing crystals can be unpredictable. In fact, I have no idea how to predict what they'll do, or that they exist or are real. So, you're an orphan who needs gainful employment and a place to stay? Well I know just the right place to direct you. The farm area, with a sign that says "Will work for food and board". Can't go wrong, I'm confident this will definitely lead you to a good home and not a maniacal magi-scientist like the one you ran into previously."

[Noah]

Noah furrows his brow slightly, "But they do exist! I would not lie!" He unlaces his leather armor and lifts his shift breifly to show Golan the large crystals that seem to faintly glow. V chuckles at Noah's attempt to convince her. "She won't believe you. I would not if I was her. The crystals flicker brighter as V speaks internally to Noah and then fade into a faint glow when he stops talking. Noah puts his shirt down and thinks about her suggestion. "So.. you really think someone would want to adopt or even live with someone like me?.. Do you have a paper and some charcoal I can make a sign with?"

[Golan]

Golan was almost completely flabbergasted by the crystal embedded in this childs chest.

"Woah! I didn't think you were lying about the PRESENCE of crystals, or their black and purpleness, those are pretty believable traits for crystals. But I don't know how sane this doctor was to think that crystals can hold souls, or impart them into a person. I guess he was right about some of it... Stay right here, I'll get you a fresh shirt. You can sleep here tonight if you need, but this morning I'll help you with that sign and then you're on your own. I'm the only orphan who gets to walk into this bar and be pitied by the owner and work diligently until she one day owns the place, ya hear?"

[Noah]

Noah and V both nod at different times. Noah smiles and giggles at her joke taking it semi literally, "If I can sleep here tonight that would be great. I don't want the guards to think I am a thief or something. Or try and take me back to that house.. and you should not worry. I would never own this place... there isn't any space for Finnigan! He would get lonely at the stable!

[Golan]

The thought just now occurred to Golan.

"Wait you aren't a thief, are you? You would tell me if you were a thief, right? Thieves have to tell you if you ask, that's the rule!"

[Noah]

"I am not a thief I promise!... Unless you count this armor I found on a dead body as stealing.. and the flask I found on the ground in the woods. I just needed to protect myself... I did bury him though! And put flowers on his grave." Noah looks down feeling bad that he had to take the armor. V said it was only to protect him.

[Golan]

"I take it you buried him after you stole the armor. Did he die before you did the stealing though?"

[Noah]

"Yes I buried him after, and he was dead before I took the armor." Noah yawns and closes his eyes briefly and then rubbing his eyes.