The House Always Wins

[reddosmod]

MARCH 2023 EVENT

Due to the UNIQUE NATURE of the Moss King, previous March events are NOT available during this month's event. Please keep that in mind.

IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
Prompt One
[Image One: Fanged, smiling carnivorous plant from little shop of horrors ]
[Image Two: House overgrown by roots.]

Prompt Two
[Image One: Person covered in glistening film that seems to be suffocating.]
[Image Two: Woman's face splattered in blood. ]

Prompt Three
[Image One: Poker chip with an anime girl's face on it. ]
[Image Two: Dogs Gambling Painting, but it's famous horror monster villains instead of dogs. ]

[NAVIGATION]

Prompt 1 • Prompt 2 • Prompt 3 • Plotting • Newsletter

[JUMP TO COMMENTS]

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING

WHEN: March 8-31
WHERE: The City of Trench and surrounding regions
CONTENT WARNINGS: Plant-Based Peril, Isolation, Entrapment, Carnivorous Plants, possible but unlikely death.

---

The plentiful and bountiful harvest of plants that started to blossom towards the beginning of the month has continued, and if anything? It's getting more and more troublesome. The old saying goes that too much of a good thing is too much, and this is definitely the proof of that pudding. Plants are literally growing everywhere. Trenchies can be seen cutting branches out of impossible locations, and vegetation is beginning to grow inside of established businesses and homes. There is an ever increasing market for vileblood based defoliation options that are being offered by entrepreneurial Trenchies, but the fact that more than a few of those selling the stuff have gone missing under strange circumstances calls into question their efficacy.

For Sleepers, this means that the possibility of encountering enlarged and potentially dangerous plants such as those seen in the earliest parts of the months grows ever more real. A human-sized venus flytrap might very well try to snatch one up, with all of the peril that entails. However, while it is possible for any exotic plant to carry with it potentially lethal threat, most of these are able to be dealt with by even the untrained with a machete. The real problem is the root systems and the plants that ones that talk. The former are the most likely to be encountered. Root systems grow over entire buildings during the mid to late month, choking over light sources and blocking windows to dim houses. They clench their grip over doors, making getting out of one's house an act of willpower and muscle that may have to be repeaated over and over again. Worst of all is the fact that many of these root systems almost seem to be intentionally creating barriers around the Lantern Network! The little moaners are safe, but their sphere of protection becomes a dome of wood, shielding and keeping them away from those naughty sleepers trying to hack their way to a teleport.

The talking ones, though, are downright disturbing. They're not very large, at first they do indeed seem to whisper and beg to be fed. Naturally, only blood will do, and the longer that they're fed the larger and more dangerous that they can become. But, so long as one doesn't feed them, they're harmless, right? Wrong. True, they can bite and it's easy enough to avoid them. However, it's what they start to say when they're denied their food that becomes disturbing. “There is a consequence of your actions, you know.” “Do not think that you are immune.” “Saving the Moss Brat seems wise now, but have a long memory.” Things like that. The voices they take on are eerie, unnatural and do not match the plants' normal begging voices. They never clear up who is speaking or what they're speaking about, but surely it's not a big issue, right?

By the end of the month, the plants wither away and break off of the various homes and businesses, leaving no visible damage behind, as if whatever caused them has faded entirely.

[JUMP TO TOP] • [JUMP TO COMMENTS]

THE LEECH

WHEN: Second Half of March
WHERE: Anywhere in Trench, but not the Outpost.
CONTENT WARNINGS: Magically Cursed Ailment, Severe weakness, Anemia

---

You didn't think it would be that easy, did you? From the moment that the first talking plants appeared in Trench, there has been another ominous presence. Unbeknownst to the people of Trench, but the Moss King is recovering from Riteior's attack and, while they are safe and slowly getting back to their normal self, this has allowed for Riteior to offer a little payback in an effort to cause trouble to those seeking to stop his attacks on the Pthumerians of Trench. In the night, while characters are sleeping, the plants strike. They wake to find a thin film over them, but otherwise it appears harmless. The next full day, there's nothing wrong and they feel hail and hearty. In fact, those pesky little talking plants are gone from their house. Of course, the next day the horror begins to settle in.

Within 48 hours, Sleepers will find themselves weak and lethargic in the extreme. The condition is not fatal, but it is problematic and irritating. They will find that no amount of food, water and rest quite gets rid of the malaise that they are experiencing, a strange drowsiness and lack of energy plaguing their every moment. The longer it persists, the more dangerous it becomes. However, there appears to be no obvious cause, at least until they visit someone capable of treating their condition, be they a Blood Minister or trained physician. Victims of this curse appear to be suffering from a severe, but not life-threatening anemia. There is no obvious cause, but the Ministers are certain that it is not natural and is likely a result of a curse of some kind. They can offer stimulants and high energy food, which will help the person experiencing the condition, but the real danger comes if they try to use their blood for a blood ritual of any kind. The insidious reason becomes obvious. Someone is attempting to stop them from safely having enough blood to perform the rituals to seal them away!

Victims are “fine” in the sense that they could get through the month safely without risk of death and just be weaker. However, if they attempt any form of blood ritual or blood letting, they risk running out of blood, which would indeed be a life threatening concern. The only solution, then, is a blood transfusion of another type. The Blood Ministers are willing to provide blood from their banks, but caution that it is better if a fresh supply is used. Do you have a friend willing to lend a hand? Or, do you miss one of the deadlines this month for fighting back Riteior?

FAQ:

This condition strikes after the mid-month, when the latest batch of rituals further weakens Riteior, and ensures the Moss King's safety.

This condition is not life threatening, unless a person attempts to use blood for a ritual or other purpose without first receiving a transfusion.

If a person attempts to perform a blood ritual before getting a transfusion, their anemia can become life threatening very quickly.

It is possible to completely avoid this prompt by not being targeted by Riteior. His cursed targeting is not that precise and he is clearly becoming desperate.

When a transfusion is given, both participants will be lightly anemic for another 24 hours, but the condition will fade afterwards completely.

It is suspected strongly by some of the Blood Ministers and Arcane Scholars that this is a curse brought about by a brief moment of control over the Moss King by Riteior. This can be learned easily in conversation with members of the orders in Trench.

[JUMP TO TOP] • [JUMP TO COMMENTS]

HIGH STAKES

WHEN: Second Half of March
WHERE: Goat Turning in The Cellar Door
CONTENT WARNINGS: Gambling, Possible Coersion, lowered inhibitions, Risk of Character Death

---

The Moss King appears to be 'on the mend' by the latter part of the month, or at least he seems to be his usual self. A flyer advertising a special for all Sleepers and residents of Trench at the Goat Turning, his personal gambling hall, circulates throughout town. The doors of the Goat Turning will be open to absolutely everyone, and nobody will be turned away for an event that will last the last two weeks of the month! Anyone who comes will be given a complementary set of chips for free, along with a very special commemorative poker chip embossed with their own face on it which they are assured they can keep afterwards, assuming they don't lose it betting! In fact, that commemorative chip is the only way that a person can return to the Goat Turning during this period, and has to be shown to get admittance, though you don't need to bet it even if it appears to be worth quite a lot! Every night, a new allotment of chips is offered to gamblers. It isn't much, and if they're willing to trade a few goods to get more, they can supplement their stash. What could be more fun than a friendly game?

The drinks and food are free for those attending, and even better? They don't seem to have a lot of strange effects. The drinks seem to ease the symptoms of corruption, in fact, and make a person more relaxed and at ease, along with lessening their inhibitions. The food is filling and pleasant, but salty, making one crave the drinks more. But, honestly, compared to Generosity's botched and spoiled food in January it's almost heavenly, even if it does make it easier to want to keep gambling and gambling. After all, those prizes for the big winners of the night are certainly something to behold, and the kinds of luxuries that Trenchies drool over.

The Big Prizes: (Maximum 1 big prize per character for the month)

A Lunar Orb

A Vial of Pthumerian Blood that can leave a person feeling sickly and weak if they come in contact with it

A Genuine Lantern, enabling a second teleportation location to be placed!

A Blood Enchanted Weapon or Armor.

An Item from Home that a character might not normally find washing up on shore

The Lesser Prizes:
Players are encouraged to use their imagination on lesser prizes that could be won. Food. Supplies. Furnishings. Weapons. Tools. Clothing. Any number of valuable could be won throughout the month.

So, what's the catch? There's always a catch. Well, like any gambling hall, the saying goes that the House Always Wins. This isn't true universally. You could have a hot streak at the Craps table, or you might just win on your lucky number in Roulette. It is very possible to walk away with enough chips to win a big prize all in one night, or build up over time to claim such a lofty goal. But the trick is that commemorative chip. It's the admission, and it's also the only way you can leave the gambling den each night. The chip must be presented both at entry and leaving, and only then does the reality become clear. That chip is so valuable because it represents your life! You might literally be betting with your life here! Should you lose your chip and not have it at the end of the night, the impressive and powerful bouncers at the door will bar you from exit, and once the hall closes there is nowhere to go but the basement. Anyone who enters the basement after hours will find that their life is indeed forfeit, and their debt is called. They will die down below. How will they die? Well, considering the fighting pits down below, any of a thousand deaths, some more gruesome than others, are possible. And, if another player holds their chip, they will be given a special pass to remain below, to demand their price themselves.

So, if you lose your chip is it still possible to get it back? Absolutely! It is a gambling hall, after all. Someone just has to be willing to give it back, or to win it back from another player or the house. What could be simpler? Of course, because there are no compulsions in the commemorative chip, and no rules about how it is to be used or transferred other than that it must be won from the house in a fair game, it is almost as if the Moss King is testing his own guests to see just how far they will go, and what they will do if their life or the life of a friend is on the line.

FAQ:

Players are limited to one grand prize per character. Please record this prize on the prompt below.

Characters that die because of this event may die in any reasonable fashion in the basement. Tools are provided. This may be handwaved.

Because this event involves the potential of players bargaining for their lives and death, we remind players to be mindful and communicative with others regarding permissions and preferences during this event. Do not break permissions.

Lesser prizes can be won in quantity, but we ask that you be reasonable about this.

The Commemorative Chip is non-magical and there is no compulsion to gamble with it. It is simply worth a lot more.

The Event is not age restricted, so underage gambling is possible.

[JUMP TO TOP]

CODING

Comments

[fogsong]

"This old thing," Sharon repeats after Tinya in a faux mocking tone, rolling her eyes good-naturedly, and shaking her head. If there was one thing about this woman, it was that she knew how to draw every eye in the room to her.

As she waits for the table to fill the rest of the way, she nurses the drink she brought with her, a shimmering pink beverage that's almost half-gone. She's trying not to overdrink, seems like a good way to lose, but the shit is almost too good to stop at one glass. And the salty snacks didn't help.

"Not really," Sharon admits, "I've decided to help other people win their prizes so my winnings don't go to waste, actually."

"After I make sure Luz gets hers, want me to help you out?"

(CW: underage alcohol)

[unphase]

Tinya makes a great show of widening her eyes and batting her eyelashes to appear innocent, but then she snickers and the illusion is gone in a flash as Tinya dissolves into giggles.

Tinya herself has a glass of a deep burgundy wine. Which may not go with a white dress, but there was the fact that she could always phase through anyone who'd think to bump into her. "What's that you've got there? It looks good." And Tinya was grateful that her time in other worlds had left her more willing to bend or even break vegetarian habits. Those bacon-wrapped scallops had been sinful."

"Really," Tinya asked, a pleased smile on her face. "That's very kind of you. I take it you've already claimed your prize?"

And she nodded. "I'd be honored."

[fogsong]

"It's some strawberry drink that I didn't catch the name of but it does taste like a..." She took a large sip from her glass and nodded her head, "Exactly like a pink starburst." For a girl who had no issue drinking wine and beers with her friends, she always jumped at the chance for something ridiculously fruity when she was on her own.

But as the conversation continued on, Sharon shook her head at the mention of claiming her own prize, "Not really interested in winning anything from Moss King. I mostly came for the food and drink and the chance to just fuck off and have fun for a few hours."

Sharon has never been silent regarding her opinions on the Pthumerians and some she liked less than others. Moss King was high up on her shitlist just for the nonsense Sharon had to put up with last year, even if he was the reason she met a few of her now close friends.

With the table filled, the dealer doled out their cards. Sharon paid close attention to Tinya's every action, careful to not peek, and mimicked her. It didn't take long to get the hang of the game and though she lost her first round ("Boo," she said out loud), she stayed for the next.

"You know, it's been a year since we were stuck in those catacombs?"

[unphase]

And Tinya looks curious, "What's a pink starburst?" 31st century, things change a lot in a thousand years. And there was nothing wrong with ridiculously fruity! They were fun! But Tinya's usual red wine or champagne were both conscious choices given that her mother liked neither of them.

"Really? For me, it's like a revenge. 'You made life horrible last year, I'm claiming your shiny thing as payback,' and so on." Tinya smiles innocently. "But you didn't hear that from me. I'm as pure as the driven snow."

Tinya was grateful that she had Argonaut as her Pthumerian. Even the most severe thing he did, granting windows back to their worlds, was relatively innocuous. At least for her. She wondered, would she be grated similar visions next month and if so, who would she see. Her husband? Mistress forbid, her mother. Or maybe her son, sent to reassure her.

She's overestimated her own talent at first, too, but stays and fires off a charming smile to the dealer. Or at least it was meant to be charming. What it was was a challenge.

And Tinya's eyes widen as she looks at Sharon. "No! Really? I remember it like it were yesterday! I'd have burned to death again if not for you."

[fogsong]

"It's just a candy, tastes like the fakest strawberry in existence, but it's good. My favorite, actually," Sharon was a simple girl and strawberry was The Best.

The conversation continues and, at Tinya's innocent smile, she rolls her eyes, letting out a disbelieving uh-huh. She knows better. Plus, that dress screams scheming. It suddenly dawns on Sharon that Tinya may have chosen the dress as a way to distract other players or even the dealers. Smart.

She spots that smile Tinya shoots after the game and laughs in her throat as she finishes her drink off. She knew that look. Tinya was just getting started.

"Yeah, you probably would've. You're so lucky I was with you," she's laying it on thick, clearly joking, but then her tone gets more serious, "I still have nightmares about it. I was terrified we'd go through it again this month."

It's the figures in that house that really haunt her; the heat without heat; the way the air had choked them. A shiver races down her spine and she has to physically shake it off, "Guess we lucked out this year."

[unphase]

"Really? Do they have it here? Now I'm curious." She remembers being with other members of the Legion in the 20th century, how hard it had been for them to find food which suited their 31st century sensibilities. Ice cream had seemed particularly decadent to them. But that was while Tinya was a living phantom, she didn't get to. Not until the other world.

That was the plan! Besides, she knew she was attractive, so why not show it off a little when the stakes were relatively low? And it had taken her a long time to feel comfortable wearing white again after what she'd been through. Even though there was nothing innocent about this white dress.

She was. She felt like she had to maintain a perfect mask around most people, but Sharon was an exception. Tinya didn't feel silly being vulnerable or uncertain around the other young woman.

"Probably. And burning to death sucks. Not a way to go I'd recommend to anyone," she said with an attempt at humor. At least the first time it had been quick. She'd barely realized what was happening as it was happening. The house, though...that she would've been all too aware of. "Yeah. Yeah," Tinya said with a brief, far-away look and tone until she mastered her emotions and said "Now I'm even more determined to win the shiny thing."

And she can't let herself dwell on the figures. She was a super-hero back home, someone expected to lay down her life to save the life of another. But Sharon's comment made her giggle. "Uh-oh! Now you've jinxed us. Something terrible will happen any minute now."

[fogsong]

"Afraid not. Not a single damn candy from back home here," Oh, there can be no denying the longing in her voice or the depth of the sigh that follows it. She misses the candy from back home. And the cereals. And the poptarts. The nasty things she'd do for just a single bag of mini-Twix.

"Yeah, we both know how shitty it is to burn," Sharon responds grimly, her own humor a bit weak. She never wants to go through it again. Doesn't want to dream of it. Doesn't want to see someone else suffer through it. She'd wipe it from her memory if she could but it's etched in her mind; branded there by the heat, "You'll get your shiny. I'll help."

Maybe that will be her way to getting back at Moss King without ever having to talk to him. She knows she couldn't handle it.

"If something bad befalls us now, I will gladly take the blame," she shoots the other woman a grin, "And, no, losing the next round doesn't count. It's just a sign this game isn't for you." Oh, she's just teasing, grinning, upper teeth pressed over her bottom lip as she places her next bet.

[unphase]

"Ahh. Because what are comforts in a place like this? Even if it's something as small as a candy from home? The small things add up and make life, well, not miserable," she said with a self-deprecating laugh. And Tinya would nearly trade her soul for a bar of high cacao content chocolates.

"Yeah. Probably why we're such good friends," because Tinya had to at least try to look on the bright side. She was expected to do nothing but. People didn't seem to know what to do with her when she was sad or upset, at least most of the time. "And I appreciate it very much!"

Tinya knew she couldn't be trusted to talk to the Moss King in person. Probably because it would likely start with 'up yours!" and it would all be downhill from there.

"All right, I'll hold you to that," Tinya said with a naughty grin of her own. "And all games are for me," she declared with an air of infinite confidence, placing her own bet.

[fogsong]

Sharon snorted under her breath at the reasoning behind their friendship. Really, it's possible. Fire always finds a way to have a hand in every part of her life. It seems to be as much of a curse as it were a gift.

The games of Blackjack come and ago. There are a few big wins between them, and a handful of losses, but Sharon managed to walk away with more than she'd lost (just barely), "All right, I guess this gambling thing is kind of fun, at least with a friend."

For Sharon, it would've been torment to play alone with strangers. She hated to be in the crowd alone.

[unphase]

It made sense to Tinya? Going through an ordeal like that would either make two people close as sisters or avoiding each other like the plague. She's very grateful that they took the former option, Sharon's wit, wisdom, and support were beyond price.

Tinya manages to do slightly better. She's in no danger of risking her personal chip, no matter what she decides, but honestly she'd rather go to the bar right now and have a celebratory drink or two. "I think that's that for tonight. Want to go have a drink to commemorate our good fortune? In more ways than one?"

So did Tinya. She was naturally lonely, to be in such a situation was a constant nightmare, especially in the other world where she was often in a crowd alone.

[fogsong]

"God, yes. Let's get some drinks and maybe steal a tray of those fig and cheese things," They'd been salty and sweet, a perfect combination if one didn't pair them with a drink that wasn't just liquid sugar (but Sharon will because she doesn't care about food and drink pairings).

When they get to the bar, Sharon leans against it waiting for their turn to order, and then places hers. She doesn't know the name of the drink she wants but, after a moment of explanation ("it's pink, it's strawberry, it's sweet and—look what that girl is drinking"), she gets what she wants and beams the moment she takes a sip. Sickeningly sweet and divine.

She offers Tinya the pink drink, "Wanna try?" Tinya may never get the chance to try all the flavors in Starburst candy but she can get an idea of what a pink one tastes like at least.

(CW: underage alcohol)

[unphase]

"Yes, please! I love charcuterie platters almost as much as life itself," Tinya enthused, looking around for a staff member who was carrying one to waylay. And Tinya was pleased to already be drinking red wine which would pair well with such a thing. Yes, she was a bit of a snob and she'd be the first to admit it.

And Sharon's enthusiasm for her strawberry drink is infectious. So maybe she was going to order a bottle of red wine, she knew that she'd be only mildly buzzed drinking such a thing. She grins at Sharon's happy expression at receiving and drinking her drink.

Tinya nods. "How can I not? If I don't, I'll never know what a strawberry Starburst tastes like," offering her hand for the glass.

[fogsong]

Sharon has long since picked up on the fact that Tinya's just a little bit of a snob. It's the princess in her and, really, she thinks Tinya deserves to be as fancy and snobby as she wants. As long as she finds a way to be happy with who she is.

She hands the drink over, "If you don't like it, I might have to stop being your friend," she teases, "Just a heads up."

Like she would ever stop being Tinya's friend. After all the hell they've been through, Tinya was stuck with her.

[unphase]

It was hard to not be a snob, first being reared by her grandmother, at the time the crown princess of Bgztl. then by her mother, who became the crown princess after her mother was murdered by her father and wanted to make sure that the Wazzos were the premiere family to reckon with. Tinya is mostly content with being the daughter while her mother retained being crown princess. But she often wonders, how long will her mother's luck in the United Galaxies will hold.

Tinya has had her sip and is grinning broadly. "Nothing to worry about in that regard, I completely understand why you hold such a flavor dear. In fact, I may have to demand the recipe in the kindest way possible."

And Sharon was stuck with her. A sister she'd always wanted.

[fogsong]

"It's fucking great, isn't it?" Sharon practically beamed at Tinya's response to the drink, feeling a certain level of pride. She may not be a fancy snob (love you, Tinya) but she had pretty good taste, "And you're a genius. I..." she laughs, "Is it bad I never thought about asking for the recipe?"

[unphase]

"It absolutely is! If this is how the candy tastes, I can understand why you were so hooked," Tinya enthused. And it was okay, she was a fancy snob. It was part and parcel of being a Wazzo, much as Tinya tried to avoid it. "No, not bad! I'm simply used to asking for recipes when I have a good meal or cocktail. Most of the time, those secrets are jealously guarded, but it can't hurt to ask!"

[fogsong]

"It's not exact but it's pretty damn close," Sharon doubted she'll find anything that tastes exactly like the candy from home.

"If you manage to get that recipe, let me know and I'll get the ingredients. We can have a movie night with them or something," just a night for them to hang out without Trench putting pressure on them.

[unphase]

"Like white chocolate martinis. Unusual, even in the 31st century, unheard of here. But still delicious and worth savoring." Tinya declared, remembering too many soirees made bearable by said martinis. No one ever bothered asking Tinya her age, they seemed to assume that if she was there, she was of age and Tinya was so miserable at the time that she wasn't about to correct them.

"I think that would be a lot of fun. You'll have to bring your young man and with any luck, I'll find someone to cuddle myself," Tinya declared.

[fogsong]

Sharon has never heard of such a magnificent-sounding drink but she squirrels that information away for a rainy day. It might be something to surprise Tinya with at a later date. Maybe for her birthday.

The next statement caught Sharon off-guard and she sputtered into her drink, ears growing hot under her mop of bleached hair. She quickly cleared her throat, eyes wide, before she spoke, "Uh... My young man? When did I...?" Fuck. She'd been drinking. It likely slipped out and she didn't even realize it.

"Y-Yeah, he...," she's so awkward, cheeks a shade of Coldblood berry, "He does ballet if you're ever needing someone to practice with."

[unphase]

And that birthday was rapidly approaching, April 21st!

Tinya grinned unrepentantly. It was rare that she got to catch friends off-guard here and she relished every opportunity to do so. "Yeeees?" Any other declaration either to the contrary or the confirmation would serve as a confirmation.

"And I'm still in need of such, if you think he'd be open to the possibility," Tinya said, idly poking her white chocolate martini with its cocktail straw, then taking a long sip with her eyes locked on Sharon, a smile curving her lips.

[fogsong]

The long stare and curve of Tinya's grin made Sharon blush more deeply and she cleared her throat again, looking away, taking a deep drink of her beverage in an attempt to distract herself, "I, uh... Yeah, I'll ask him but I think he would be."

"He could use some friends and I think he'd really like you," she eased up some after a moment, cheeks still hot, "His name is Mayerling. I'll give you his username if you want?"

Sharon is certain he'd appreciate Tinya. The other woman had a certain worldliness despite her age and Sharon is certain he'd see that in her.

(CW: murder)

[unphase]

Tinya was thrilled. Love in all of its forms was celebrated on Bgztl, one of the few nice things she could say about her homeworld. "Good! I'm glad to hear that!"

"You do...?" Tinya asked, a hint of insecurity in her voice. She was so used to her presence being resented in the other world that it was often hard to believe that people in Trench did care about her, did want her around. But she knew Sharon cared and hoped that the object of her affections would as well. "That would be really appreciated. Thank you. I mean it."

It was hard to not be worldly, given the childhood that she had. Being used as a spy and informant to her mother since after the murder of her beloved grandmother. Winema Wazzo hadn't wanted Tinya to accompany her, so she needed to find a use for her daughter, not simply be her mother.

[fogsong]

The insecurity was impossible to ignore and it softened her flush, made her smile turn gentle, and she reached out with her free hand to gently grip the other woman's shoulder. Sharon wasn't keen on touching most people but Tinya was an exception, "I wouldn't ever like anyone that wouldn't like you, Tinya."

Her friendship with Tinya was important in ways Sharon had trouble putting into words. They met when she first washed up and she can't imagine what her life would be without her around.

(CW: bad parenting, slavery)

[unphase]

Tinya wanted to be as brash and as bold as she'd been in the old days, but life had beaten her down once too often. And the gentle smile and accompanying touch made Tinya flush warmly. "I know. I know you wouldn't. I don't have any sisters, but if I did...I'd want them to be like you."

But her father was a low-life, selling her other two thirds into slavery without a moment's hesitation. She'd had sisters once. But now they were gone, far beyond Tinya's reach. So she was pleased to find sisters like Sharon wherever she could find them.

[fogsong]

Sharon knew nothing of sisterhood. She barely knew anything about friendship and romance but the more she learned of it all, the more she learned of life, the more she enjoyed it all. She beamed at those words, unable and unwilling to press that smile back into the box she kept it in, "Same," she said, "You're my... sister from another mister."

From another dimension, universe, and time, too. She saw Falco as a little brother. She and Tinya were close enough in age that it was easier to see her as her twin than it was younger or older.