[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220419/d955e440c95ac6f731dc5e649ad359eb.png[/img][/center][hr]Between the job offers, the lack of outright targeted violence, and the copious amounts of [i]indiscriminate[/i] violence, Lilann had managed to briefly forget how awful of a place Finnagund was. With the burdens of the day shucked to the ground, she had nearly started to feel, dare she think it, relaxed, around these people. 

Honestly, thank the shit-eating gods for sending Esvelee to remind her. How would she have gotten any sleep without someone reminding her about the [i]good old days[/i]? A perfect little rage lullaby. 

She made a mental note—[i]Esvelee Buckman, the Red Fern Fool[/i]. A good start to a good story, she thought. Lilann’s was a petty soul, born of a life that afforded her little opportunity for more visceral vengeance. She didn’t know much about the woman, yet, but there was still a long road ahead of them left to pick her apart, to scrutinize her every flaw, every embarrassing mistake. And what she didn’t learn, well, she’d never shied away from taking artistic liberties with her fictions. 

Within a few months, the people of Soft Haven would be saying some [i]very[/i] entertaining things about Miss Buckman.  

At least Kyreth seemed to take it in stride, or at least he seemed no more anxious than usual. The others also ignored Esvelee’s comments, either out of silent agreeance or disdain. Part of her wanted to hope for the latter. She erred to healthy skepticism instead.

Pulled from her machinations by the gloomy boy, Lilann took a few moments to process. What could she do? Well, she would have liked to say ‘[i]more than what you saw back there[/i]’, but without her sword, and with their payment dependent on the cart remaining intact, she’d have been hard-pressed to prove it. 

“[color=lightblue]I could…[/color]” [i]throw the client at it.[/i] “[color=lightblue]…Oh, you know, throw a few rocks, sing a few songs. If we survive, I assure you the story will be enthralling. I doubt we’ll have to worry much about sensing the Rancor, though. We’ll know if we stumble into its territory.[/color]"