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[i][u][h3]During the Riots[/h3][/u][/i][/center]

Uskriss Ranore heard the shouting three hours before the riots began. It came from upstairs in the apartment building that they lived in, and didn't sound like it would stop any time soon. Uskri disregarded it, thinking it was just another young, hopeful couple becoming disillusioned by the reality of Lost Haven, when the shouting went outside. And it was louder than just another domestic dispute. 

Throwing on his leather jacket, Uskri kissed his mama Via on the cheek, and said, [color=Tan]"Ai, mamma, I'll be going out, I need to see what's going on. Be right back, I promise!"[/color] 

Nodding her assent, the tiny woman said, "Ah, no worries Uskri, I know you'll come back fine. By the way, the stew will be done in an hour!"

Deep in his mind, voice made a rough approximation of a snort. [i][color=Red]Yeah, right. Knowing this city, it's probably some person who can spit glue, making a mess of the neighborhood.[/color][/i]

Smiling, and walking to the door, Uskri thought, [color=Tan][i]Hah, Mot, don't be so pessimistic! For all you know, it could be something cultural! Like a parade- [/i][/color] Uskriss opened the door, and his expression hardened. [color=Tan][i]I hate it when your pessimism wins, Motega, you know that?[/i][/color]

If a smirk could show in Thoughtspeech, Motega would be grinning from ear to ear. [color=Red]Pessimism? I call it realism-[/color] Uskriss had to stop listening as a metal baseball bat swung towards his head, in the hands of a hooded, bandanna-wearing thug. Ducking a hairs-breadth, Uskri waited for the thug to get overbalanced, and then simply pushed down on the baseball bat, causing it to  clatter to the cracked concrete. Grabbing the thug by the collar of his shirt, he pulled him up so he was looking him in the eye. 

[color=Tan]"And just what, exactly, didja think you were gonna' accomplish by doing that?"[/color]