663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0hMnIV0k5
663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqidS42laJ1
"Mummy, look!" 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUehTat8UM
Tap, tap. 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzMHZ3UM6L
"Mummy I will make you proud!" 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wx1aRpPtO
Tap, tap.663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3O477Jtppn
"Mummy, save me."663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbz80tR7c8
Tap, tap.663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5m60ZruZJ
"Alright you better shut663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6Y8w43tOC
it with the falling tapping!" David shouted as he opened his eyes and 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIz7OegfaV
got up. Waking from his dream, for what else could it have been? 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TYh8745gx
David was about to 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcpRfML5Jf
complain more but then he remembered what happened, how he fell from the663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBEg9JHVSh
ship, to his apparent death. But right now he was in the middle a city 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9r4PzeXo1
or at least a shallow imitation of one. With the buildings and the 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsIQ7i0zj9
people just being shadowy reflections of the real world, but still 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m7lSlCSr9
eerily lifelike.663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCE4cCb9bq
Then it clicked, the 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPO7ajZqwAy
ramshackle buildings, the crooked streets, dark alleyways guarded only 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaJefURbLM
by footpads and thieves. Shadowy humans begging and fighting. Stumbling 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUONzBcVWTm
around drunk. David was back in the Havenport slums, his home. A home he663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrO6qaqkoN
left around 20 years ago when he boarded his first ship. Why was he 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqI4dYkuFT
back? Was he dead after all? 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiiM4OiLDm
All of those thoughts, 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOwxmbXoHC
and more, were racing through Davids mind. As he was trying to gather 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb21JbgeyoX
his wits, he heard laughter from...not behind exactly but everywhere.663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRv53UB0QJ
"Ah! Perfect you finally awoke!" David tried turning towards the voice but couldn't quite pinpoint where it was coming from.663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEfp5xeg0s
"Ah, apologies. The ether world makes everything quite fuzzy." 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6XxmmEjRm
David fell backwards out of fear as a figure appeared out of thin air in front of him. "Spirit! G..ghost! Demon!"663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1esN9TwGJ
"There, there. Get it 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH1byNvb7k
all out." The being said in an amused voice. Was it even amused? David, 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5VxkssGjI
again, could not pinpoint the exact tone of voice. It sounded as if it 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLH2HId4qV3
was echoing both in his mind and in this city. Hitting the walls making 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCiBN5vv0K
the voice both louder and yet quieter. The voice had both male and 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEv1Jh4D5Pk
female aspects to it as some parts sounded quite high pitched while 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4yjWaP8J7
others sounded low pitched. Both happy and sad, amused and disappointed.663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZgSqHw2OU
It was quite disconcerting. 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bnovdcuxd
"All done now?" The 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADshOXBNBU
apparition asked, smiling. Or was it smiling? As David got back up he 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSpjqU3Kz4
got a better look at his new friend. Or at least at the parts that he 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBxlV0t3xD
could see. Its face was covered in... something that looked like mist. 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6uIPNjdvY
David was unable to properly distinguish the features. Whether it was 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfCjQYJb0G
smiling or crying David would never be able to tell.663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bECaZKL3u
Its clothes were quite 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y65cxr8nc
weird as well. Wearing a top hat which seemed both as tall as the person663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUHjaJEMkM
wearing it and as short as Davids own pinky. Its body was covered in a 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxoyrovNmX
dark shroud going from the shoulders to feet and every time it moved it 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9q7LLYYC7a
changed both color and shape.663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJMKZViJoZ
The figure tilted its 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vv6uakeuz
head and moved his hands as the tapping noise continued. Concentrating 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ws7EBx9Ni
on the lower part of the body David could see a thin shape of an object 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yJj9M5KF3
that looked like a stick. A cane? A walking stick? Who knew?663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgBWbeVKFg
"The tapping, was that you?" David said as the tapping noise surrounded them again echoing as if they were in a cave.663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszlF1KvqkR
"Indeed" 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ukkBOB9g0
Tap, tap, tap.663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXmde3DCPN
David flinched at the 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67Wl58NDcG
sound. He wanted to shout at the ghost to stop the tapping. To answer 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECghDAE0LJ
where he was and what was happening. But there was a power dynamic here,663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmW5C1mDKa
as in everything else in life. During the years he learned that there 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rXp8F5ugE
are three types of people: Leaders, followers and parasites (a handy 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Uen4fjtMN
word he learned from a scholar, turned pirate, in his earlier forays 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5MOPJ1rcZ
into piracy)663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9hhHElRCU
Leaders and followers 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH2u412S99
were self-explanatory. David, meanwhile, considered himself a parasite. 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXDCQ652Xj
Parasites attached themselves to either a leader or a follower. Making 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9H3J92exVN
them believe you were on their side, that you were one of them. And then663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0trJZnI5a
when that person gives you everything you need you leave and attach 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAQdxnGAx9
yourself to someone else.663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH2MONzdBh
This was not so 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZaxuWxAku
different, David was the parasite and the person in front of him was the663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69qdltTLd3
leader. He was in charge of the situation so David had to attach 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZCwZfM8y7
himself to him or her. Had to make them believe he was on their side or 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGxrhG26WS
harmless or whatever the situation called for. After all no one is 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhuCBegRDP
immune to flattery, be it gods or ghosts.663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IOznMKkZE
"I'm sure I'd have the pleasure of your acquaintance, if I knew your name?" He ventured slightly bobbing his head.663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXqLLz3A1y
The figure gave a 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8go7i1WTZu
chuckle, which sounded as if glass shattering. "Ah yes, you will suck up663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgQXFXnm9f
to me trying to win me over and then hopefully gain an advantage. I've 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEt3KDwd5B
been watching you, David Oxtorne, lying and never revealing your true 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyw7WiW2GCw
self. Being a friend to some, an arrogant bastard to others whatever 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmk8kXqo9s
would get them to like or accept you." A pause and the figure looked to 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotFTJJD6hQ
the side. "I've no time for your games; otherwise I would've loved for 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMAEBKIpnm
you to grovel and try to win favor. For now call me...Jester." Jester 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZRYXNsaCs
laughed, as if saying a grand joke that David wasn't part of.663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm6I0FqLnu
David looked at him 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXueVZAtX5b
puzzled adding his own awkward laugh to Jesters. This...Jester certainly663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZAAoFY1c0
liked to laugh a lot, although David was failing to find any funny 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYdmWRwu0a
jokes. "Nice to meet you Jester." David was about to say more but he was663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbS8VaY3EE
interrupted by a raised hand.663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3qniO2F22
"Yes, yes you're a slow 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Jluxcb2NI
learner aren't you? We will need to change that. You want to ask where 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceu1FyY6Ec
you are and whatnot. So let me answer that for you. You're in the ether 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnN9VPhc0zm
world. You're not dead because I saved you. Your body is laying asleep 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75NCQkYDrm
so you're here only in your consciousness. Not a lot of giftless can do 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwF9tnRFsa
that, you should feel dead honored"663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOTrwnKpp4
David was having trouble663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9NbmGxcnA
following jester. But one thing he understood was that you didn't save 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMr5stWpsS
someone's life unless you got something out of it."wha..."663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6FQ5HxzKA
But David didn't get to 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1ZW7hAz8r
finish as jester continued." Not done yet was I? Your next question is, 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTWcbAx4h1
probably: 'what do you want in return for saving my life?' Which 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4kJOTVY0w
honestly David hurts, just hurts. Don't you think I'm a generous soul?"663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JDBIr5PQM
A pause, David was 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ7sSO4TUO
unsure what to do and begun to answer but the figure kept on talking." 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOV9UeHtQh
Of course I'm not. Suffice to say I will need you to find something. 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaojIgdoi08
Can't tell you what yet but others will be hunting for it too" 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBnMvHBVEp
Jester made a clock 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSA63ER2Xq4
appear in front and nodded...probably." Well that's all from me. We'll 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMEeRxIFCL
meet again once you've met the other chosen ones. I'll explain more 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65MH9FBPL6
then, hopefully you'll be better company by then. Or else I've chosen 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQN7beJFIq
quite wrong, quite wrong indeed."663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgggoZyfTt
David was about to ask 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy86QpPnTqq
more questions but then he heard a whisper. He looked at jester first 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmkiZivO66
but as far as David could tell it wasn't his doing, which didn't 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJ8dum1hl6
convince David at all.663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wnmFf8zZn
"Hey I...body..." a voice echoed. Sounding human. 663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67XfieyhX1
And then his world shook, all the shadows dissipating, as if swept away by the wind.663Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW5GZWKEWK
"I am watching, my chosen. Make it interesting for me." Jesters voice resounded within Davids head as darkness fell again.
ns216.73.216.10da2
