[@DriveEMOut][@Rune_Alchemist][@cloudystar][@xChrome]

The poison was quick.

Before Claudia even had time to respond, her body hit the floor with a *THUMP!*  There was nothing, no horrible, agonizing pain creeping up her throat, no foamy blood spewing from her lips, just the woman lying on the floor of the cafe with her eyes closed shut.

Darkness, it welcomed her again in its reluctant embrace.  She tarried in shadows, oblivious for a while.  Then...a sound.  Thunder quietly rumbling in the distance, amidst the patter of rain upon the roof...and the crying of a newborn babe.

[hr]

[i][b]"Oh shut up, you damn imp!  Why the hell do I have to watch your brat, Faust?!  I have a business to run here!"[/b][/i]  A cantankerous voice grumbled loudly, Claudia's eyes gently opened to see the bitter woman scowling down at her.

[i][color=ed145b]Aunt Maelyn?  Oh gods...that child...that poor infant... it's me![/color][/i]

Faust, a brave soldier clad in his armor, his grizzled face stern in a flash of lightning as he stood in the open doorway, replied gruff, [b]"She is your niece, Maelyn.  Meridia would have wanted you to take care of her."[/b]

[b][i]"Bah!  The bitch got what she deserved spreading her legs like she did, especially to a god damned knight of the king!"[/i][/b]  Maelyn spit with venom towards Faust.  Faust said nothing in return, only a heated grimace towards the bitter woman.  How could Meridia ever have such a cruel sister.  [b][i]"Alright!  Fine!  Off to war with you then!  Hopefully they bring you back on your god damned shield!  She can suck on one of the whore's breasts, cause she ain't sucking on mine!  This brat have a name?"[/i][/b]

[b]"Claudia."[/b]

And with that, Faust slammed the door behind him amidst a vicious crack of thunder, as if the gods themselves shared vehement displeasure towards Maelyn.

The cruel woman huffed snd shoved poor baby Claudia off onto another woman with dark red bruises around her eyes.  [b][i]"Here!  Take care of the runt!"[/i][/b]

Baby Claudia began to cry even more.  Where was her mother?  Her father?  Why did they leave her here with such a despicable hag?

Why did they leave her...in Hell?

[hr]

[color=ed145b]*GASP!*[/color]

Not a moment later Claudia awoke from the floor of the cafe with a startled look to her face.  Her body felt limp, her head spinning and throbbing.  [color=ed145b]"Ungh....by the gods..."[/color]  Weakly she muttered holding her head and sitting on the floor.  [color=ed145b]"Pray that I never have to do that again..."[/color]