712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdCYhKvLnT
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0YZvxmmOe
"Mummy, look!" 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bzzU112H9
Tap, tap. 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9aLLEjPja
"Mummy I will make you proud!" 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhNoeuuwNI
Tap, tap.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhQiVXJqcE
"Mummy, save me."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEn0PmLxnX
Tap, tap.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Go0dhltnR
"Alright you better shut712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cSOQfCb6y
it with the falling tapping!" David shouted as he opened his eyes and 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JnNm6j58U
got up. Waking from his dream, for what else could it have been? 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAB6fz8ufC
David was about to 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqD25LwObm
complain more but then he remembered what happened, how he fell from the712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Yalj02ffV
ship, to his apparent death. But right now he was in the middle a city 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡextj8RzmRh
or at least a shallow imitation of one. With the buildings and the 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHPn0WvCNe
people just being shadowy reflections of the real world, but still 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypFuk0YIT2
eerily lifelike.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSebmfBcTlV
Then it clicked, the 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrDg3ZBOoz
ramshackle buildings, the crooked streets, dark alleyways guarded only 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqEiofGBwE
by footpads and thieves. Shadowy humans begging and fighting. Stumbling 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyfXJ3uHXy
around drunk. David was back in the Havenport slums, his home. A home he712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFvEMwnMGo
left around 20 years ago when he boarded his first ship. Why was he 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCvs1gGiag
back? Was he dead after all? 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuz1N5O5e1K
All of those thoughts, 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWa0haI3yk
and more, were racing through Davids mind. As he was trying to gather 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWetv3QiZZ
his wits, he heard laughter from...not behind exactly but everywhere.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8udK3lVZ2
"Ah! Perfect you finally awoke!" David tried turning towards the voice but couldn't quite pinpoint where it was coming from.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeX7Gtrm9C
"Ah, apologies. The ether world makes everything quite fuzzy." 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDXNBEwoph
David fell backwards out of fear as a figure appeared out of thin air in front of him. "Spirit! G..ghost! Demon!"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntPtL9k9gN
"There, there. Get it 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqFzrZzzTg
all out." The being said in an amused voice. Was it even amused? David, 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNILh5Muevz
again, could not pinpoint the exact tone of voice. It sounded as if it 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbl7PCw363
was echoing both in his mind and in this city. Hitting the walls making 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfbvRTTWLK
the voice both louder and yet quieter. The voice had both male and 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTnGCQDFAC
female aspects to it as some parts sounded quite high pitched while 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOoeObhUbH
others sounded low pitched. Both happy and sad, amused and disappointed.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC03YI97MbS
It was quite disconcerting. 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVDoC07mm9
"All done now?" The 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Fa6H7IGnM
apparition asked, smiling. Or was it smiling? As David got back up he 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiY9MGJAfeT
got a better look at his new friend. Or at least at the parts that he 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqu8Y4Lsdy
could see. Its face was covered in... something that looked like mist. 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAt8ji02EG
David was unable to properly distinguish the features. Whether it was 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRGo43Dr7Y
smiling or crying David would never be able to tell.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWd32LzeyC
Its clothes were quite 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABqkInySiW
weird as well. Wearing a top hat which seemed both as tall as the person712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQxqNvtdX0
wearing it and as short as Davids own pinky. Its body was covered in a 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFj5ZBSXtZ
dark shroud going from the shoulders to feet and every time it moved it 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8BQlthyrQ
changed both color and shape.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1e9wLsYLA
The figure tilted its 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ogdFciiWF
head and moved his hands as the tapping noise continued. Concentrating 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASawes5Qln
on the lower part of the body David could see a thin shape of an object 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8Qkh0NaWR
that looked like a stick. A cane? A walking stick? Who knew?712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTzgarIONe
"The tapping, was that you?" David said as the tapping noise surrounded them again echoing as if they were in a cave.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJohPP7EgF
"Indeed" 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI9sgEDarg
Tap, tap, tap.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TliHtplMH
David flinched at the 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46SieKVnor
sound. He wanted to shout at the ghost to stop the tapping. To answer 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvMBgOaKsP
where he was and what was happening. But there was a power dynamic here,712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwegQJHrFd
as in everything else in life. During the years he learned that there 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5y4PQE8G8
are three types of people: Leaders, followers and parasites (a handy 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvx6n2QJQ1m
word he learned from a scholar, turned pirate, in his earlier forays 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLZQrx9zuk
into piracy)712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxyOFAk3Cp
Leaders and followers 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkMRM9YAhl
were self-explanatory. David, meanwhile, considered himself a parasite. 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPH2eFLKxU
Parasites attached themselves to either a leader or a follower. Making 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6I3CF8zTy
them believe you were on their side, that you were one of them. And then712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8QL2M1H1t
when that person gives you everything you need you leave and attach 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NppWWEfhx
yourself to someone else.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LatFOnnxY
This was not so 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwLeS5DOMS
different, David was the parasite and the person in front of him was the712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPl2iwE2iT
leader. He was in charge of the situation so David had to attach 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGhjwjcWnA
himself to him or her. Had to make them believe he was on their side or 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhxaw8JVfV
harmless or whatever the situation called for. After all no one is 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jSmH7wnr3
immune to flattery, be it gods or ghosts.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6RJL4AKns
"I'm sure I'd have the pleasure of your acquaintance, if I knew your name?" He ventured slightly bobbing his head.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIvfNTf5EL
The figure gave a 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrDMf8Z9PM
chuckle, which sounded as if glass shattering. "Ah yes, you will suck up712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsA9UOJSaPW
to me trying to win me over and then hopefully gain an advantage. I've 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5y7Ra8R6D
been watching you, David Oxtorne, lying and never revealing your true 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdfuIIvwYZ
self. Being a friend to some, an arrogant bastard to others whatever 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡet82Fstzoj
would get them to like or accept you." A pause and the figure looked to 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYrJlsrbun
the side. "I've no time for your games; otherwise I would've loved for 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYBCfTaYoz
you to grovel and try to win favor. For now call me...Jester." Jester 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6YVUphGtQ
laughed, as if saying a grand joke that David wasn't part of.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRThPydcyj
David looked at him 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ196yGSbWbZ
puzzled adding his own awkward laugh to Jesters. This...Jester certainly712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0j3ZcoAS5
liked to laugh a lot, although David was failing to find any funny 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7l80x7i4cD
jokes. "Nice to meet you Jester." David was about to say more but he was712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69Mtv4Eg16
interrupted by a raised hand.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJFM8oJOpg
"Yes, yes you're a slow 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTFl4WnWwB
learner aren't you? We will need to change that. You want to ask where 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthEKDw6CLd
you are and whatnot. So let me answer that for you. You're in the ether 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmebBUODBmD
world. You're not dead because I saved you. Your body is laying asleep 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqf3NOzl50
so you're here only in your consciousness. Not a lot of giftless can do 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmtSrYjJG9
that, you should feel dead honored"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmbCMKPuyj
David was having trouble712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7BAHkTJct
following jester. But one thing he understood was that you didn't save 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BadSoHjBJ
someone's life unless you got something out of it."wha..."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswnpmfxKFD
But David didn't get to 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuxjL1P8a0
finish as jester continued." Not done yet was I? Your next question is, 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkinUylB48
probably: 'what do you want in return for saving my life?' Which 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcamvPzK3l
honestly David hurts, just hurts. Don't you think I'm a generous soul?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsWpWb34iK
A pause, David was 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8ipcrEQR5
unsure what to do and begun to answer but the figure kept on talking." 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVlmfxzGly
Of course I'm not. Suffice to say I will need you to find something. 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbHDqeaC3B
Can't tell you what yet but others will be hunting for it too" 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxqz8newwt
Jester made a clock 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3wQ5ezANR
appear in front and nodded...probably." Well that's all from me. We'll 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtba2Is85z7
meet again once you've met the other chosen ones. I'll explain more 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3jVMnyyL3
then, hopefully you'll be better company by then. Or else I've chosen 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyRYgGkPAw
quite wrong, quite wrong indeed."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsZomoemjA
David was about to ask 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDZj7AWYqn
more questions but then he heard a whisper. He looked at jester first 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWY91w84Wqn
but as far as David could tell it wasn't his doing, which didn't 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUkS2DhiKQ
convince David at all.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuSHvWB3jf
"Hey I...body..." a voice echoed. Sounding human. 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLPXiru9Bl
And then his world shook, all the shadows dissipating, as if swept away by the wind.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJG97Bo8ci
"I am watching, my chosen. Make it interesting for me." Jesters voice resounded within Davids head as darkness fell again.
ns216.73.216.208da2
