Soot stains the small windows in streaking lines that look like the house itself was crying. There was an assortment of wind chimes near the door, and it won’t be until we get closer that the men will be able to realise they’re actually bones clattering together—a warning bell of sorts.Almera will take care of these interfering men. She’ll help me; I just know it. Pearl thought to herself.She was actually one of her favourite people. She was the only other alchemist she had ever met who was crazy enough to want to be her friend. She was crazy as hell, but she would let these guys figure that out for themselves.Pearl doesn't hesitate as they start to lag, their steps seemingly becoming more and more uncertain with each new detail their eyes land on. She heard Finn gasp, and the comical smugness he had faded; she even heard him growl.Well, surprise, surprise!Pearl passed them a sly but pleasant smile as her knuckles rapped gently against the rotting door. "Almera!? I came bearing a

"Hmm, well." Almera’s hands patted sweetly against Ethan’s shoulders. His eyes closed tightly as if he were trying hard not to say anything as a smile started to spread across his lips. Finn chuckled and just watched them, like it was so entertaining.Pearl couldn’t really tell if Ethan was trying not to laugh or growl."Yes, I guess I couldn’t really say no." "Perhaps I misjudged you, my friend," the blind woman murmured."Almera, you didn’t even touch his face." A smirk kissed Pearl lips. Goddess, I want to be her when I grow up. She thought."I didn’t?" Her brows lowered over her pale gaze. "Huh. Please forgive my dwindling mind."Her hand pulled away, and Pearl couldn't help but let her gaze flicker to Ethan's hips and his fortunate lower region that seemed to bulge often. Unfortunately, she couldn’t make out the impressiveness that gave Almera a change of heart.Pearl guessed she should have gotten him tighter jeans.Daydreaming. His hands turn, big palms pushing across her abdo

Ethan's gaze slowly wandered to the dirt between them. "You should. Don’t settle for what you have. Never settle for less than everything. Life’s too short to think you deserve less than all of your dreams and desires." Pearl cocked a brow at his romantic words. This was the guy they were calling Dickless less than an hour ago... The silence settled back in, but his words replayed endlessly in her mind. Pearl wishes it were that easy. To just accept the things she wanted and not overthink all the things she needed. Like survival. Her mission.She may be able to wield the four elements of magic and be capable of opening a portal, but she couldn't control it, and she was afraid to even try. The magic was too big for her. The power was so overwhelming that she didn't even want to wield it unless deadly action was necessary. She sighed as she remembered Kain, and sometimes the past was too present to really think about the future. Finally, her home comes into view. Another board has

Outside Almera’s cabin In his werewolf form and on guard duty, Finn was confused as to why he unexpectedly felt too sleepy and exhausted. It was like he had been under some mysterious spell. All the memories came running fast, the pain was intense, and the past emerged from his brain like a tidal wave. Yet, the best thing about him was his magical warmth, which wasn't a drawback; it had become a floor that anchored him to his anger and his past. It was the bedrock of who he was, of the person he was born to be. Though he was born gentle and vulnerable, weak and kind, now he is a warrior, deadly and powerful. He wore his heart for all to see, and it took strength to do that, but he was no longer smooth or peaceful; now he was his own hero; he was his own champion. The disastrous course of his circumstances commenced that night. Many many decades ago. The young man lay on his stomach on the ground of the large common tavern in the rogues' quarters. To Finn's right, a group of his off-

 When Finn was given sustenance and a bed in trade for his chores. When reimbursed in silver coin, it was usually meager enough to appease both needs, in which case he spent the fortune on sustenance. True, the "bed" he was given was usually barely permitted to sleep upon aground in a kitchen or stable, but the resort was worse: the thoroughfare. Met with this destiny, Finn would crawl through the alleys and roads, the stench of piss and shite surging from the humid cobblestones, whilst he surveyed the rooftops for a smoking chimney. He would then search for an interrelated veneer fireplace wall against which to curl, hoping for a spot with overhanging eaves to avert the rain, or worse, the storm, and one not under a window out of which a chamber pot might be emptied.